Highlights

Turkish federation reprimanded but escape fine

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-03-30 09:45

The Turkish motorsport federation TOSFED has escaped a $2.5 million fine imposed by Formula One's governing body after a controversial podium ceremony at last year's grand prix in Istanbul.

An International Automobile Federation spokesman said on Thursday that TOSFED had been reprimanded by the FIA's world motor sport council on Wednesday.

Payment of the outstanding $2.5 million was quashed, however.

The Autosport Web site (www.autosport.com) reported that this was understood to be because the Turkish federation had pleaded for leniency on the grounds that the fine would otherwise bankrupt them.

TOSFED and race organisers MSO were jointly fined a record $5 million last year after Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was introduced on the podium after the race as 'President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'.

Cyprus has been split since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the northern part of the Mediterranean island after a brief, Greek-inspired coup.

Only Turkey recognises the north and the FIA, representing motoring organisations from 125 countries, feared the podium ceremony had compromised its political neutrality.

The MSO paid its $2.5 million last year.