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F1 NEWS

FIA investigating Turkish podium

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, August 29th 2006, 09:54 GMT

The FIA has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the podium ceremony at the Turkish Grand Prix following a complaint from the Cypriot government.

According to reports on the BBC, Cyprus was angered when Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat presented a trophy on the Istanbul podium and was introduced as president of the Turkish Cypriot 'state' - which only Turkey recognises.

The BBC quoted Cyprus government spokesman Christodoulos Pashardis as saying: "The Cypriot government will denounce this unacceptable and provocative piece of theatre. Mr Talat is neither a citizen nor an official of Turkey, the organising country, to be invited to present the Formula One winner's trophy."

The Cypriot Automobile Association duly lodged a protest with the FIA, which has now been acted by.

A statement issued by the FIA on Tuesday said: "The FIA has launched 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. No compromise or violation of this neutrality is acceptable.

"The results of the investigation will be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council."

The FIA treat podium ceremonies very seriously. The Spanish track of Jerez was told that it would never host another Formula One race after a local mayor tried to upstage the podium ceremony at the 1997 European Grand Prix.

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