Pain in Spain?

The Spanish news agency EFE reports that in response to parliamentary requests from the environmental group Verda, the European parliament`s environment commissioner Stavros Dimas is to investigate possible violations by the organisers of ther forthcoming European GP on the streets of Valencia.

Previously, the European Commission has dismissed Verda`s formal objection to the entire F1 project and the claim that the relevant impact study had not been carried out and that some of the land used for the race track has been taken from a protected `green area`.

In addition to this, Dimas will look into possible irregularities of the EU`s public contract rules in the bidding process as well as concerns regarding noise and the speeds the cars will reach.

"With the hurry, it is possible that El Consell (the Valencia government) has not done its homework regarding transparency and noise," David Hammerstein, Verda member was quoted as saying. "Formula One`s speed excess could create serious problems to the Valencian Government in order to comply with European law."

The race - tickets for which sold out within days of going on sale - is scheduled to take place on 24 August.

22.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ rumour    ▪ www.pitpass.com