Even though it produced a very exciting Grand Prix on Sunday and was included on the 2007 calendar, there are now concerns over the future of the Turkish Grand Prix due to political reasons. After the race on Sunday, a complaint was made by the Cypriot government in regard to Mehmet Ali Talat presenting the winning trophy to Felipe Massa on the podium at the end of the 58 lap race.

"The Cypriot government will denounce this unacceptable and provocative piece of theatre. Mr Talat is neither a citizen nor an official of Turkey, the organising country, to be invited to present the Formula One winner's trophy," a spokesman for the Cyprus government told the BBC explaining that Talat is the President of the Republic of Northern Cyprus, only recognized by Turkey.

According to the Cypriot government, Turkish officials have exploited the race for their own political gain and tricked the sports governing body into going along with the charade. Therefore, an official complaint was made to the FIA, who will now look into the matter even further.

“The FIA has launched a full investigation into the circumstances in which Mr Mehmet Ali Talat was invited to present the winner’s trophy at the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix,” they said in a statement. “Political neutrality is fundamental to the FIA’s role as the governing body of international motor sport. No compromise or violation of this neutrality is acceptable. The results of the investigation will be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council.”