Just read at motogp.com that the proposed Argentina GP has been removed from next years calendar, but hopefully there will be one in 2014. The reason why is because the Spanish government has intervened and advised that teams and riders sponsored by Repsol should not go to Argentina.
Done a bit of digging and it appears that an Argentinian oil company, YPF, was previously owned by Repsol before it was nationalised in April this year. A Mexican petroleum company, Pemex, holds a 9.5% stake in Repsol, and along with another shareholder attempted to oust Repsol's chairman last year. Repsol are now trying to patch things up with Pemex so they can get access to oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico. Repsol's share prices have dropped 27% this year but they are still in the world top twenty of petroleum refining companies.
So I ask, why does Spanish politics interfere with sport? Do they not have enough races in Spain without dictating where teams race around the world. It is unlikely, but sport and politics should not be linked, it spoils our enjoyment!
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/23/repsol-pemex-talks-idUKL5E8MN6FV20121123
Done a bit of digging and it appears that an Argentinian oil company, YPF, was previously owned by Repsol before it was nationalised in April this year. A Mexican petroleum company, Pemex, holds a 9.5% stake in Repsol, and along with another shareholder attempted to oust Repsol's chairman last year. Repsol are now trying to patch things up with Pemex so they can get access to oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico. Repsol's share prices have dropped 27% this year but they are still in the world top twenty of petroleum refining companies.
So I ask, why does Spanish politics interfere with sport? Do they not have enough races in Spain without dictating where teams race around the world. It is unlikely, but sport and politics should not be linked, it spoils our enjoyment!
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/23/repsol-pemex-talks-idUKL5E8MN6FV20121123
