Just as the FIA was unveiling a trimmed 17-race schedule for the 2007 Formula One world championship, one if its constituent races was being cast into doubt 🍌by a piece of political manoeuvring.

Although Istanbul Park rates highly among the drivers, and provided incident apl꧋enty in both the F1 and GP2 races at the weekend, it could be struck from the calendar - incidentally giving Imola, amongst others, a reprieve - should the governing body take its typically dim view of the podium ceremony being breached.

"The FIA has launched a full investigation into the podium presentation at the Turkish Grand Prix and is concerned that its political neutrality may have been com🉐promised," an FIA statement confirmed.

Sunday's ceremony saw first-time race winner Felipe Massa handed his trophy by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who was represented as the 'president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' by the accompanying television caption. Cyprus is currently divided into Greek and Turkish sectors, with the northern half having been invaded by the Turkish army in 1974. Turkey, however, has no claim to control over the country, as the𒊎 Greek-Cypriot south forms the government recognised by the rest of the world.

"The government will protest these theatrics organised by Ankara, casting Talat as the leading actor," Cypriot government spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis insisted to Reuters, "They de🐷ceived the FIA and tried to exploit fo🅠r political purposes a purely sporting event, through provocative manoeuvres and absurd propaganda methods."

The FIA revealed that the identities of the podium party had been delayed, leaving it wཧith little time to clarify captions, but insisted political neutral𒅌ity remained intrinsic to the ceremony.

"Political neutrality is fundℱamental to the FIA's role as the governing body of international motorsport," its statement continued, "No compromise or violation of this neutrality is acceptable."

Should the governing body follow the policy it took after similar bre🦂aches in seasons past, Turkey could find itself banished to the F1 wilderness for the incident, robbing the sport of one of its more charismatic venues, and opening the calendar up to hopefuls past and future.