Busy times ahead in Paris

A controversial election coming to a head, a legal challenge from Flavio Briatore looming and many question marks over the 2010 Formula 1 entry and calendar... Dieter Rencken examines the issues on the FIA's plate

They may have been said in jest, but then many true words are: "Seems the FIA now has a permanent seat at the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris..." said a journalist on Sunday after news broke in the Interlagos media centre that former Renault Formula 1 boss Flavio Briatore had commenced legal proceedings against the governing body at the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris in an attempt to have the lifetime ban against him overturned.

"Yes," replied another, "by now the FIA lawyers must be on first name terms with the judges, what with the Ferrari veto affair in May, N-Technology's current action and Ari Vatanen's application for an injunction to ensure a free, fair and secret procedure when votes are cast on Friday. Plus, there may be more..."

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