FIA funds controversial Syrian racetrack!

The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, has issued funding to the Syrian Automobile Club (SAC) to build a new racetrack in the country that has been savaged by civil war for nearly a decade.

The planned track is situated just a few miles away from a prison, Sednaya jail, where an estimated 13,000 people have been executed.

President Bashar al-Assad's reign has been a bloody and brutal one and the FIA have decided to award the SAC money to build a new karting track to develop drivers from the region.

The FIA has already given money to allow the Syrians to buy safety equipment.

The move will likely split opinion, but director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, told The Telegraph: “Supporting grassroots sporting activities that can help Syrians recover from the trauma of war and oppression might be valuable but at the same time, all efforts must be made to prevent the Syrian regime from abusing this for nefarious public relations purposes that attempt to burnish its credentials amongst its own people.”

The FIA said in a statement: "All grants are subject to internal scrutiny and the FIA will continue to lead the way in ensuring compliance."