Flavio Briatore's threat of legal action against the FIA was not an idol one, with a spokesman for the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris on Monday confirming the filed papers.
In a media statement at the weekend, the former Renault boss vowed to challenge his lifetime ban from motor racing over the crash-gate scandal, accusing the Max Mosley-led FIA of being used as a "tool to exact vengeance on behalf of one man".
The court spokesman told wire news agencies that court formalities will begin on Tuesday.
Reports said the 59-year-old Italian is also seeking damages of between 500,000 and one million euros.
