Controversy once again reared its head at the FIA World Touring Car Cup’s round in Slovakia, with the Hondas of Benjamin Lessennes, Tom Coronel and Esteban Guerrieri all found to have breached the prescribed boost levels during qualifying for Races 2 and 3.
Their exclusions come in the wake of similar penalties handed to the Hyundais of Thed Björk, Yvan Muller and Norbert Michelisz following the Race 1 qualifying session on Friday. All three drivers were sent to the back of the grid for Race 1 and failed to finish in the points.
With less than three hours between Qualifying and Race 2, the Stewards are yet to confirm whether the same penalty of an exclusion and a back-of-the-grid start will apply once more.
Spokespersons from both the Münnich Motorsport and Boutsen Ginion Racing teams have indicated they intend to appeal the exclusion, meaning all three drivers – Guerrieri (3rd), Lessennes (8th) and Coronel (18th) – could start the upcoming races in accordance with their original qualifying positions.
Image via FIA WTCR
Richard Bailey
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