If I recall, the Jerez round was not even on the calandar at the start of 97, but the moment Ferrari came within sniffing distance of it’s first WDC title in decades the extention to the schedule was made. Jerez hadn’t hosted a round in years because it was considered (& is) a sub-standard facility,which is why it does not get a round these days, not withstanding Barcelona’s place.If that stunt by the Mayor (& the local police chief) had not occurred Jerez would have been punted anyway, Barcelona was to be te nominated venue for future events.

The Turks will get a quiet slap on the wrist & F1 will be there in 07.my take any way

From grandprix.com:

Messing about with F1 podium ceremonies is a dangerous business. In 1997 the mayor of Jerez forced his way on to the podium and presented a trophy he was not supposed to present. The FIA reacted by cancelling the event and F1 has never returned to Jerez.

The Turks are likely to be in even more trouble than that because their gesture was calculated and a clear political manipulation of the situation. If unpunished it could undermine the FIA’s political independence - and the FIA World Council is unlikely to stand for that.

Like I stated earlier, dead meat.

I just read that the Jerez circuit was unceremoniously dumped from F1 competition when the Mayor turned a podium presentation into a political side show. They were dropped with the statement they would never host a GP event again-ever!

Of course the dollar investments and returns today are much higher so the fallout of canceling Turkey may be more difficult, but it wouldn’t shock me if they were dropped. Especially due to any number of other locations looking for races.

Now back to protesting about Bono……..where do I start.

The chance to play REAL politics on a world stage will not be passed over. After an internal investigation by the intelligence gathering operatives of FIA, Max will spew some silly statement and offer a position paper on how to solve the Cypriot issue as well as ending the wars in Iraq, Israel, and solve all world problems. Let’s have a GP race in Cyprus!!

I give him until Friday before the Italian GP at the latest.

I’m not sure where or who is attempting to paint this as a threat to Turkey holding another event, but the reality of finances seems to fall on the side of political hacks and not the FIA.

But obviously the FIA will have to tread lightly o the issue.

It’s going to be a little bit difficult to go all politically correct on host nations when you consider China has a round - not exactly big on human rights - & good old Mad Dr Mahtir of Malaysia is always on the podium, trophy in hand, at Sepang.

Bernie & the sport need these new venues so the FIA will just have to be a fence sitter & play a neutral role. When you think about it, could anything be worse than Bono being allowed in the paddock at Monaco?