Italian Motor Racing Body Backs Ferrari's Valencia Criticism

Fernando Alonso may have apologized a bit too early for his outburst at the FIA stewards following last weekend's race in Valencia. At least too early for Italy, as everybody in the Peninsula keeps backing Ferrari's claims that the European Grand Prix has been manipulated by the race stewards.

One day after Ferrari's boss Luca di Montezemolo expressed his disappointment over the fiasco in the European Grand Prix, now the very Italian motor racing sanctioning body CSAI (Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana) said in a statement that the credibility of Formula One is at risk following the Valencia events.

“The success of a sport is measured by its ability to be credible and above all understandable to the general public. What happened on Sunday ... damages the credibility of the category; I don't think anyone, whether in the grandstands or in front of televisions around the world understand what has happened,” said CSAI's president Angelo Sticchi Damiani.

“Drivers who pass the safety car came to the podium. Others, taking advantage of the same situation, also had an advantage over their rivals. But others - those who respected the rules - were the victims )obviously referring to the two Ferrari drivers).”

“Perhaps some of the regulations about behavior in Formula One must be investigated and evolved so that they do not create more uncertainty and confusion. We would like clarification about the penalties ... and on what criteria they were given,” added Sticchi Damiani, hinting that he suspects the penalties applied to the 9 drivers for speeding during the safety car period were handed with a “degree of subjectivity.”

Additionally, Sticchi Damiani backed Ferrari in urging the FIA to discuss the matter as soon as possible, adding that his support for the Prancing Horse is constructive, rather than controversial.