FIA Casts Doubt on Future of Australian GP

Motor sport's governing body cast doubt on the future of World Championship events in Australia on Saturday after legal action by Minardi at the country's Formula One Grand Prix.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) issued a statement reacting to events on Friday, when Minardi boss Paul Stoddart obtained an injunction from the Victoria Supreme Court to allow his cars to compete on Saturday after stewards had declared them illegal.

"If Australian laws and procedures do indeed allow a judge to act in this way, it will be for the World Motor Sport Council to decide if a world championship motor sport event of any kind can ever again be held in Australia," it said.

Apart from the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia also hosts a round of the FIA rally World Championship.

Stoddart withdrew his injunction on Saturday morning after modifying his team's cars to conform with the new aerodynamic regulations.

The FIA said neither the stewards nor the world body were given notice of the legal proceedings and were given no opportunity to be present when the judge heard the case.

"Apparently the judge thought it right to interfere with the running of a major sporting event, overrule the duly appointed international officials and compel the governing body to allow cars to participate in breach of the international regulations, all this without first hearing both sides of the case," the statement said.