The FIA has opted to drop the $2.5m fine imposed on the National Sporting Authority of Turkey (TOSFED) following an incident during the podium ceremony after last year's Turkish Grand Prix.

In a move which caused outrage, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who presented the race winner's trophy, was introduced as 'President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'. However, following the invasion of Cyprus in 1974, when Turkey took control of the north of the island, the so-called Turkish Cypriot "state" has only ever been recognised by Turkey

Angry that its political neutrality had been compromised, the FIA imposed a fine of $5m jointly on both TOSFED and the Organisers of the Turkish Grand Prix (MSO).

While MSO has paid its share of the fine, TOSFED claimed that such a levy would bankrupt it, a claim which has led to the FIA's change of heart.

A spokesman for the FIA has admitted that the fine has been dropped and that TOSFED has received an official reprimand.

That said, many feel that the FIA's leniency has set a worrying precedent, especially with numerous new nations about to enter the F1 calendar.