FIA attacks EU investigators

In addition, the FIA revealed it has written to the EU Commissioner for Competition, Professor Monti, urging him agree to an independent inquiry into the FIA investigation - and publish the results.

It also wants the current EU officials working on the case to be removed, and replaced with "objective" personnel.

In a statement released to the press, the FIA has called upon the EU to provide "immediate access to all documents on file which are being improperly witheld" and to agree to "the FIA's request that the oral hearing to which it is entitled is open to the press."

FIA president Max Mosley added: "It is disturbing that an important EU institution should behave in this way.

"Even if, as we believe, their legal case is hopeless, they should not try to bolster it with improper and illegal acts.

"Last Summer, they had to apologise for leaking prejudicial documents, yet their officials are still behaving improperly.

"That is why I am now asking the new Commissioner for Competition Professor Monti to intervene to ensure that principles of fairness and transparency are restored inside the competition department."

In June 1999, the European Commission commenced proceedings against F1 chiefs, and told the FIA that it was "abusing its dominant position and restricting competition".

The commission's main concern was that the FIA was the sole regulatory body of international motor racing in Europe

The commission also decided that the FIA was organising and promoting a number of events itself, making it difficult for rival designers to stage their own competitions.