JOIN USThe Federation of Motor Sports of India on Saturday backed Ferrari, saying that the Italian giants were not making a ‘political’ statement by painting the Italian’s navy’s flag on their cars participating in the Indian Grand Prix.
The Italian outfit got into a lot of trouble for their show of ‘goodwill’ by painting the Italian naval flag on its car as the Indian government is currently embroiled in a case with the Italian authorities over the shooting of two fishermen by marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone earlier this year.
“The FMSCI would like to maintain that the FIA code of motorsport is apolitical and non-religious and the FMSCI will not permit motorsports to be politicized in any manner,” read the statement issued by its president Vicky Chandhok. “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 politicizing the event.”
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said: “I think the Navy has always been a supporter of Ferrari. I don’t think it will tarnish the image of the sport. Ferrari are just showing their support.”