OCTOBER 25, 2006

Turkey withdraws its appeal

The Turkish motorsport federation is to withdraw its appeal against a $2.5m fine for using the podium of the Grand Prix to make a political gesture. In theory at least, therefore, the Turks must now pay the money to the FIA. The fine threatens to put the club out of business, which is not really what the FIA wants to see, but at the same time the federation needs to be seen to be punishing Turkey. The easy solution would be for the Turkish government to step in and pay the bill - although it still creates a precedent which others might one day choose to exploit.

One must assume that the FIA will insist on payment as the Cyprus motorsport authorities will no doubt be watching the accounts closely to make sure the money is paid.