Ferrari at heart of political row

26/10/2012

Ferrari has been forced to defend itself after some sections of the media took the display of an Italian Navy flag as support for an ongoing situation in which two Indian sailors were shot dead by Italian naval officers in the build-up to this weekend's Indian Grand Prix.

Ferrari was quick to deny suggestions that its display of the Italian Navy's flag on its cars was political: "If you look back into the past, we have done a lot of initiatives," argued Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali. "There is nothing I want to get into specifically because this is not the place we should do it he told reporters at today's press conference.

"I don't think it is a matter of this press conference to discuss this subject," he added. "If you have any questions, we have a press office."

The FIA takes a hard line on political activity, actively refusing to be drawn in to such debate while earlier today Bernie Ecclestone insisted the sport was apolitical.

Domenicali claimed there were no such motives when asked whether the action was in response to the Italian navy's activities.

"That is not true," he insisted. "There is not any political intent or discussion - that is what is written."

A brief statement posted on the Ferrari website later in the day read: 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."

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