Ferrari’s two F2012 cars belonging to Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will both sport the Italian Navy flag on its livery this weekend in support of two Italian sailors being held in India.
The two personnel were imprisoned in March and later bailed, but remain unable to leave the country, after they fatally shot two fisherman who they mistook for pirates whilst on patrol in the Indian Ocean – claiming the men failed to react to warning shots fired from an oil tanker, which have come under increasing attack from pirates.
The Italian outfit will show its support by flying the flag, according to a statement.
“Scuderia Ferrari will carry the flag of the Italian Navy on the cars driven by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix.
“In doing so, Ferrari pays tribute to one of the outstanding entities of our country, also in the hope that the Indian and Italian authorities will soon find a solution to the situation currently involving two sailors from the Italian Navy.”
The Italian government wishes for the sailors to be returned for prosecution under Italian law, rather than Indian law because the incident took place aboard an Italian ship in international waters.
