FIA to mount legal challenge against former driver Streiff

JulesBianchi - cropped

The FIA is to take legal action against former Formula One driver Philippe Streiff after comments he made in the wake of Jules Bianchi's accident during the Japanese Grand Prix. 

Streiff was himself confined to a wheelchair following an accident during F1 testing in 1989 and has been accused of making defamatory comments against the panel formed to investigate Bianchi's accident at the Suzuka race last October.

The 59-year-old has been quoted as saying the panel's aim was to clear the FIA of liability, but the FIA has hit hack with a statement that insists it was forced to respond to comments of "malicious intent".

"The FIA, its President Jean Todt, as well as Garard Saillant, president of the FIA Medical Commission, are dismayed to learn of the remarks made about them by Philippe Streiff in his recent comments on the state of Jules Bianchi's health," read an official statement. 

"These remarks having been published by certain media, the FIA, Jean Todt and Gérard Saillant categorically state that Philippe Streiff's insulting and defamatory comments are utterly unfounded and demonstrate malicious intent. 

"In view of the seriousness of this deliberate attack on their reputations, they have had to ask their lawyers to lodge a complaint for public defamation and insult so that the circulation of Philippe Streiff's statements is stopped immediately and sanctioned in an appropriate manner. 

"They find it regrettable that this incident only serves to add to the suffering of Jules Bianchi's family, for whom they would like to reiterate their support.” 

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