Greater Noida: The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) on Saturday stood by Ferrari's decision of carrying the Italian Navy's flag on its F1 cars during the second Indian Grand Prix and said that it won't have any effect on the case involving two Italian marines, who are facing murder charges in the country. FMSCI, however, said that it would not allow motorsports to be politicised in any manner.
In a statement, FMSCI president Vicky Chandhok, maintained that world motorsports governing body FIA's code of motorsport is apolitical and non-religious. "Stefano Domenicalli, Team Principal Scuderia Ferrari, has confirmed that their initiative of carrying their national navy flag does not have and should not be seen as having any political implication. FMSCI firmly believes that carrying their national navy flag will not have any effect on the case pending before the Indian courts. The FMSCI will not permit any attempt to subvert the process of justice by politicising the event,? he said.
Ferrai in a statement said the navy's flag on the two cars is a tribute to the country's finest institution. "The Italian navy's national flag on the Ferrari race cars at the Indian Grand Prix is there as a tribute to one of our country's outstanding institutions. With all the respect due to the Indian authorities, Ferrari wishes to make it clear that this initiative does not have, nor should it be seen as having, any political implication," he said.
The Indian government, however, is unhappy with Ferrari's decision to pay tribute to two Italian Navy Marines, who are facing trial in Kerala for shooting two Indian fishermen in India's territorial waters. External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin in a statement Friday said: "Using sporting events to promote causes which are not of a sporting nature is not in keeping with the spirit of any sport."
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone also distanced himself from the flag row, saying the national association should look into such political matters. "What we'd do, we'd look at the national sporting authority (FMSCI) here to have a look at that...we are not political," Ecclestone said at the Buddh International Circuit here on Friday.
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