JANUARY 22, 2015

Streiff sued for Bianchi report slam

Former F1 driver Philippe Streiff has launched a stinging tirade against FIA president Jean Todt.

Former F1 driver Philippe Streiff has launched a stinging tirade against FIA president Jean Todt.

Streiff, who was paralysed in a 1989 pre-season crash, triggered controversy late last year when he claimed to know details of the medical condition of the great Michael Schumacher.

Those claims were denied by Schumacher's inner circle, but now 59-year-old Streiff has turned his attention to fellow Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who is still yet to regain consciousness after his horror Suzuka crash.

French media reports quote Streiff as having told Radio Free: "Shame on Jean Todt, who ordered and organised at the last World Motor Sport Council in Doha, Qatar, the report about the accident of Jules Bianchi.

"It was a document prepared by a group of ten friends, including Professor Gerard Saillant, to clear the errors of the FIA," he charged.

Later this morning the FIA issued the following statement:

"The FIA, its President Jean Todt, as well as G©rard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, are dismayed to learn of the remarks made about them by Philippe Streiff in his recent comments on the state of Jules Bianchis health."

"These remarks having been published by certain media, the FIA, Jean Todt and G©rard Saillant categorically state that Philippe Streiffs insulting and defamatory comments are utterly unfounded and demonstrate malicious intent."

"In view of the seriousness of this deliberate attack on their reputations, they have had to ask their lawyers to lodge a complaint for public defamation and insult so that the circulation of Philippe Streiffs statements is stopped immediately and sanctioned in an appropriate manner."

"They find it regrettable that this incident only serves to add to the suffering of Jules Bianchis family, for whom they would like to reiterate their support."

(GMM)