Spain’s Prosecutor’s Office has begun an investigation into alleged corruption and embezzlement in the awarding of contracts relating to the 2012 Formula 1 race in Valencia. The writ names Francisco Camps, a former president of the Valencia region, Dolores Johnson, a tourism official, and Jorge Martinez, a shareholder in Valmor Sports, the company that acted as the promoter of the event. The courts have been instructed to look into how it was that a small company with no experience in motorsport and only 12 employees was given the job of promoting this major international event. The writ claims that Camps is suspected of misappropriation of public funds and corruption.
What next? Teams pulling off bank robberies?
joeblogsf1 
Where we read fifa in some stories, I think F1 and FIA, CVC et al could be replaced….sad but true!
Why am I not surprised and shocked, that there could be devious and even criminal activity in F1? When one looks at how things are run, how £100m’s come and go, and the weird places F1 is in such a rush to be in….let’s hope enough dirt can be dug up so that there might have to be real change forced on the FIA and the (all edged) dodgy dealings of the Bolt. That would be a great Christmas present for fans!
Camps has been suspected of many major frauds in Spain. That is why the investigation. Nothing that F1 has done wrong.
CVC is taking care of the bank robbing.
And Bernie seems to be the (most) innocent party for once. I live in VLC and it made as much sense to have a F1 race here as it does to hold a dressage tournament in my living room. It would appear to be yet another case of politicians lining their pockets and seeking notoriety through F1.
Hopefully there will be a full investigation into how one of the most indebted regions in a debt ridden country was able to pay millions for a completely unnecessary event yet unable to pay their pharmaceutical bills.
There is often corruption involved where there is big money involved.
The FIA should also look into why it’s Commercial Rights Holder awarded the contract to “small company with no experience……..”. Do not think they will be bothered though.
Friday afternoon, a good time to bury bad news.
“What next? Teams pulling off bank robberies?”
Or trophy robberies?!
How about a return to that good old American sports car series entrepreneurial activity – marijuana smuggling?
Perhaps the Spanish want a contribution from Bernie rather like Munich or maybe the rules are different in Spain.
Could be another theme for a Bernie Christmas Card.
It is time for a change. Grand Prix motor sport is bigger than the grubby stories that now cloud 2014. One of the Vintage Year of motor racing, at least in my eyes.
Valencia 2012 …. Is that not the race that was won by Maldonado/Williams in emphatic manner to this day un-replicated by team or driver? Perhaps investigations might also include that??
I think you are mixing races. As I recall Maldonado won in Barcelona…
You are right of course, Joe. I guess that lets Pastor et al off the hook…
It is a race I recall as an Alonso fan…He came from 11th on the grid to take an emotional home win. Michael Schumacher was also on the podium…
Yes, a great drive. Merc [Schumacher] p3, Lotus!! [Raikkonen] p2, and Ferrari [Alonso] winner.
Hang on .. Ferrari win?
I demand an investigation.
If I remember correctly, Valencia in 2012 was a three-nap race.
What next? Teams pulling off bank robberies? In the sport there have been many cases of IP theft. White collar crime is rife in business and sport. Bribery and corruption in F1 is (allegedly) alive and extremely lucrative?
Why not? Bernie (allegedly) did. And he’s been raiding local tax bases for 30 years.
I wonder who would win a debate between him and Al Davis, with the prompt being, “I (allegedly) pioneered the use of blackmail against local, state, and federal goverments in order to privatize revenue created with public funds.”
By the way, Jorge Martínez of Valmor is better known as Aspar, 4-time motorcycle world champion and owner of successful MotoGP teams.