Turkish GP organisers summoned by FIA.

The organisers of last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix have been ordered to meet with the FIA to explain why they allowed an unrecognised politician to take centre stage during the podium celebration.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who was captioned for millions of television viewers as the 'president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', handed the winner's trophy to Felipe Massa, a move that caused outrage among the Greek Cypriot population, and its government, which is recognised worldwide as being in control of the Mediterranean island.

Race organisers have now been summoned to an extraordinary meeting with the sport's governing body on charges of breaking Formula One podium rules.

"The National Sporting Authority of Turkey (TOSFED) and the organisers of the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix (MSO) have been called to appear before a specially convened meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 19 September 2006, to hear charges that they have acted in breach of the FIA Statutes, the International Sporting Code and the 2006 Formula One Sporting Regulations," a brief statement from the FIA confirmed.

Speculation immediately after the race claimed that Turkey could even lose its place on the F1 calendar over the issue, despite the new Istanbul Park circuit being acclaimed as one of the best currently in use. Other FIA-sanctioned events could also be under threat should an appropriate explanation not be forthcoming.