FIA to investigate Istanbul dog incident

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Turkish Grand Prix organisers could face sanctions after two stray dogs ran onto the Istanbul track and one was hit by Brazilian Bruno Senna's car during a support race on Sunday.

"This was a serious lapse in circuit security and safety," an International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman said on Monday.

"How could such a thing happen at an almost brand new Formula One track?

"The FIA Safety Commission will hold a full investigation into the matter which may then be referred to the world council," he added.

Asked about possible consequences for the circuit, which made its grand prix debut in 2005 and is now managed by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, the spokesman said: "Sanctions cannot be ruled out at this stage."

Senna, nephew of the triple Formula One world champion Ayrton who died in an accident at Imola in May 1994, ran over one of two dogs on the track during a GP2 race at the Istanbul Park circuit.

The 24-year-old, who had come over the brow of a hill and had only a fraction of a second to react, was lucky to escape serious injury with the impact breaking his front right suspension.

Had he hit the animal head-on, the consequences could have been far more serious for the driver.