Renault signs first sponsor since crash-gate

Renault has signed its first sponsor in the wake of the crash-gate scandal.

With title backer ING and Mutua Madrilena both leaving the French team in the wake of the Singapore race-fixing affair, Renault announced on Wednesday that it has inked a three-year deal with the Dutch watchmaker TW Steel.

The maker of oversized watches' branding will feature as of this weekend in Abu Dhabi, where on Friday morning a photocall will be staged in the Yas Marina Circuit's pitlane to show the logos on the car's nose, front wing and sidepods.

The announcement also deals a blow to speculation that Renault may not be committed to F1 despite signing the 2012 Concorde Agreement.

"The partnership ... confirms the team's positive outlook for the years ahead," said managing director Jean-Francois Caubet.