Collins Asks U.K. Treasury To Investigate F1 Over Payments To Oppressive Regimes

U.K. Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee Chair Damian Collins referred Formula 1 to the U.K. Treasury over reports that payments from the sport are fueling motoring organizations in "oppressive regimes," according to Christian Sylt for the London TELEGRAPH. Collins said that any "breaches of financial sanctions" would be "a serious matter," and added that he would be "raising the issue with the Treasury as the department responsible for monitoring possible breaches." His concern has been driven by payments from a grant scheme which FIA launched for its member clubs in '14. In each of the past three years, grants have been given to the Syrian Automobile Club, which arranges races that are sponsored by Syria President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The money funded a grassroots karting program in Burundi and Rwanda while Iran and Sudan "­received grants to train officials" (TELEGRAPH, 9/27).