Streiff apologises to FIA over comments

© XPB 

Former F1 driver Philippe Streiff has apologised after admitting he “made insulting and defamatory comments about Jean Todt, Gerard Saillant and the FIA”.

The FIA threatened legal action against Streiff for comments made during a radio interview regarding the investigation in to Jules Bianchi’s crash in the Japanese Grand Prix last year. Streiff – who has been a quadriplegic since a pre-season testing crash in 1989 – issued a statement through the FIA to retract his “unfounded” accusations and apologised to Todt and Saillant.

"I let myself get carried away in front of the camera," Streiff said. "The interview took a long time, too long, and I am aware that I made insulting and defamatory comments about Jean Todt, Gerard Saillant and the FIA which I sincerely regret.

"I ask Jean Todt and Gerard Saillant, who are well aware of my health problems, to excuse me. I regret having said things about them that are totally out of line with the consideration they both deserve."

Bianch remains in hospital in Nice following the accident at Suzuka last year.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter