Bernie Ecclestone’s new role as owner of the Turkish grand prix venue in Istanbul has hit a speed bump.
Having bought the formula one track earlier this year for up to $190m, it emerged recently that Ecclestone had not renewed the circuit’s MotoGP deal for 2008.
The local Zaman newspaper reports that F1’s chief executive is being sued by the Turkish motorcycling federation.
Vice chairman Suleyman Memnun explained that the track has been unfairly closed to motorcyclists for the 15-year lease term.
“For this reason our association is taking legal action on the handover of the facilities — in order to prevent a public facility being closed to Turkish athletes,” he said.
