Formula One chiefs have launched a probe into how breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat managed to officiate at the prize-giving ceremony for the Turkish Grand Prix.
The race in Istanbul on Sunday, won by Brazilian Felipe Massa in a Ferrari, was watched by an estimated viewing audience of 2,5-billion worldwide, including shocked Greek Cypriot motorsport fans who followed the race live on state television.
The International Motoring Federation (FIA) said on Tuesday it had ”launched a full investigation into the circumstances in which Mr Mehmet Ali Talat was invited to present the winner’s trophy at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix.
”Political neutrality is fundamental to the FIA’s role as the governing body of international motor sport,” it added.
”No compromise or violation of this neutrality is acceptable.
”The results of the investigation will be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council.”
The internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government — which has no diplomatic relations with Turkey — immediately protested the appearance of Talat, president of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Ankara.
The Greek Cypriot government is extremely sensitive to any move that suggests any upgrading of the breakaway state, and spokesperson Christodoulos Pashardes slammed Talat’s move.
”This was a deliberately stage-managed move to promote the Turkish Cypriot leader as a supposed president of an independent state.
”Mr Talat is neither a citizen nor an official of Turkey, the organising country, to be invited to present the Formula One winner’s trophy,” Pashardes added.
The spokesperson accused Turkey of ”tricking” the FIA by hijacking a purely sporting event for ”provocative and ludicrous political propaganda”.
Turkish Cypriot leaders declared their breakaway state in 1983, nine years after Turkish troops seized the island’s northern third following a Greek Cypriot coup in Nicosia seeking union with Greece. — Sapa-AFP