Turkish GP bosses defend podium actions

Formula One's governing body claims that the organisers breached the sport's regulations by allowing Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to present a trophy after being introduced as president of the Turkish Cypriot 'state' - which only Turkey recognises.

That action led to a complaint from the Cypriot government and the FIA has responded by convening an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council later this month to hear charges against the Turkish organisers.

But in response to the FIA's actions, the Turkish Automobile and Motorsports Federation said in a statement that Talat fulfilled podium criteria because he was a well-known international figure - as FIA policy dictates.

The statement claimed: "The promoting organization had invited Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, a known name of international status who fits the description outlined by the rules mentioned above."

Turkey risks being dropped from the calendar over the matter. In 1997, the Spanish track of Jerez was told that it would never host a Formula One race again after a local mayor interrupted the podium ceremony.