F1 podium sparks political storm - FIA launch a full investigation

Sunday's Formula One podium ceremony at Istanbul has sparked a political storm.

Debutant race winner for Ferrari, Felipe Massa, received his trophy from Mehmet Ali Talat, who was introduced by the regular F1 announcer and the official television caption as the 'President of the Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus'.

In fact, Turkish troops invaded Cyprus in 1974, and still occupy the north-eastern area, which was subsequently declared by both the United Nations and the European Union as an illegal state.

Cyprus spokesman Christodoulos Pasharis denounced the F1 podium as an 'unacceptable and provocative piece of theatre', and said the government intends to lodge an official complaint with the FIA.

He said Turkey had exploited a sports event and 'tricked' Formula One's governing body.


Added to the terrorist attacks around the country on Sunday, another blow to the second annual grand prix of Turkey was the decline - by about 30,000 spectators - in race-day attendance, compared to the 2005 figures.

The FIA today announced 'a full investigation into the circumstances in which Mr Mehmet Ali Talat was invited to present the winner’s trophy at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix.'

"Political neutrality is fundamental to the FIA’s role as the governing body of international motor sport," a statement read. "No compromise or violation of this neutrality is acceptable. The results of the investigation will be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council."

E.A.
Source GMM / FIA



Oh Crap!!! Not good, lol

 

Except that, how much of this really comes as a surprise? The part about politicos using anything possible, including sport, to promote their agendae? Or the part about a new GP in an illogical part of the world losing interest in only its second year? But hey! At least Bernie got his, right?

 

You'd think that after Jerez that other countries would be a little more careful about pulling a stunt like that. Being Greek, I wouldn't mind seeing the FIA pull both the F1 race and the WRC round...............

 

Yeah we don't need terrorists having any possible reason to mess with our sport. That's why it's such a concern to me. I hate to say it, but F1 shouldn't be there because of the polical climate.

 

I loved the circuit at Turkey, but if it's going to cause troubles later on in the future I wouldn't object to it being pulled from the schedule.

 

I am just wondering why Bernie (because it's him. isn't he?) keeps introducing all these new countries to F1 and neglects more and more places who have been supporting the sport for decades.

British GP is under threat.
US GP only guarantee for 1 more year.
Cut down to 1 GP in Germany instead of 2.
Only 1 GP in Italy instead of 2 (Imola gone).
Belgium GP not held this year.
French GP uncertain in future.

we have already lost
Dutch GP.
Swedish GP

But instead we have these GPs in country where there is no tradition of motor racing (and for some, not much tradition in manufacturing cars either), like Malaysia, China, Turkey, Hungary.

What's going on?

 

It's all 'bout the hard $$$$$$$$$$
Jurgen

 

Specifically the EU's ban on tobacco advertising.

 

I hear that Bernie is looking at the possibility of a Lebanon GP in the future? or how about an Iraq GP? or Afghanistan? (aside: or Northern Ireland?)

 

I think they'd have to call it the IRA GP .

 

Mass Dumper Saga Strikes Back.

First FIA approves something, than confronted and launches full investigation.

 

http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=1&id=136586

the latest

 

Sports is supposed to unbiased and should not be involved in regional and international politics

Shame on the people responsible for this political cheap shot! Sports is no place for politics!

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The political storm surrounding a controversial podium ceremony at last Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix took a turn for the worse on Thursday, with the FIA summoning race officials to a special meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

The hearing is to take place in Paris on September 19th, a statement issued by the governing body said.

Turkey's national sporting authority, TOSFED, and organisers of the Grand Prix itself, are to 'hear charges that they have acted in breach of FIA Statutes, the International Sporting Code and the 2006 Formula One Sporting Regulations', the FIA added.

The ultimate sanction would be exclusion from not only the 2007 calendar, but also from the FIA umbrella, meaning that the country's World Rally event is also in danger.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

**********

 

If they had only introduced him as a has-been tennis star awash in financial and marital problems and dressed him in raggedy jeans and a t-shirt, they would have been OK!

 

You must be right Koby.
But as one expect the tobacco advertising to expend beyond the EU in future (every country is becoming more 'civilised' these days), where is Bernie going to take us to run his circus in future?

 

South America possibly?