The organisers of the Turkish Grand Prix will not lose their rights to hold any races following the podium controversy at this year’s F1 race.
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was presented on the podium as the leader of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. Turkey is the only country in the world to recognise this state following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The stunt brought Formula One into disrepute and received widespread condemnation.
Despite finding the organisers guilty the World Motor Sports Council declined to prevent them from hosting any races and instead demanded a USD $5m (GBP ?âÔÇÜ£2.6m) fine.
Next year the magnificent Suzuka circuit which has hosted Grands Prix wince 1986 will not play hos to Formula One as Toyota have put up more money to take the race to the underwhelming Fuji Speedway. But apparently using your Grand Prix to glorify a coup d’etat is fair game.
Related links
Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport
Fixy (@)
4th February 2011, 17:02
Yes! Massa will win here even in 2007 and 2008, so that’s lucky!