Turkish govt refuse to pay for Formula One return

ANKARA (AFP) - Turkey will not release any funds for the return of the Turkish Grand Prix to the Formula One schedule next year, the sports minister was quoted as saying on Thursday.

"There is nothing on the government's agenda about the return of Formula One to Turkey. This is an issue that entirely concerns the private sector," Mr Suat Kilic was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.

The Turkish Automobile Federation (Tosfed) announced that the Turkish Grand Prix could return to the Formula One schedule next year provided that organisers can reach agreement with the sport's paymaster Bernie Ecclestone over money.

Ecclestone and the new manager of the circuit, businessman Vural Ak, reached agreement on all matters relating to the race, according to the Tosfed statement.