'No exceptions' over EU law

The new law, which is already in effect in Britain, Spain and Belgium, would make extradition between European countries much quicker. Max Mosley, the president of the sport's governing body, the FIA, fears that the law could be applied against F1 teams in the case of fatal accidents.

But a spokesperson for Vitorino told the AFP news agency: "Mr Mosley is not above the law and the European Arrest Warrants apply to all citizens. The debate has been closed for some time and is technically impossible to reopen. Formula 1 chiefs are waking up too late.

"In any case we don't see why we would have to make an exception and why we shouldn't have confidence in the justice system. It isn't just in sport that there are people with a high notion of responsibility."

Responding to Vitorino's comments, Mosley said: "Mr Vitorino is clearly unaware that one EU government has already confirmed that the relevant provisions of the European Arrest Warrant do not apply to sport. We anticipate that other EU governments will agree.

"No F1 team considers itself above the law but they will not race where they do not feel safe. Mr Vitorino may not understand this but those who apply EU laws do."