The FIA says it has been forced to take legal action against former Formula 1 driver Philippe Streiff following his comments about an investigation into Jules Bianchi’s crash.
A report into the likely cause of Bianchi’s accident was produced by a panel of ten including Ross Brawn, Stefano Domenicali, Alex Wurz and president of the FIA medical commission, Gerard Saillant.
Streiff criticised the report and those involved, stating it “was a document prepared by a group of ten friends, including Professor Gerard Saillant, to clear the errors of the FIA.”
However, the FIA has described his comments as “insulting” and “utterly unfounded”, and therefore have no further option but to take legal action.
“The FIA, its President Jean Todt, as well as Gerard 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 the statement.
“These remarks having been published by certain media, the FIA, Jean Todt and Gerard 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.”
