South Africa given 25-second penalty

29/04/2007

A1 Team South Africa has been awarded a 25-second penalty for causing an 'avoidable collision' with A1 Team Switzerland in today's Sprint race at Brands Hatch.

After interviewing both South Africa's Adrian Zaugg and Switzerland's Sebastian Buemi, stewards decided to award the penalty.

The pair were fighting over eighth on the ninth of the races' 15 laps, when they collided at Paddock Hill Bend.

Switzerland retired after the collision, however, South Africa rejoined the track and finished 13th. The decision drops them to 15th in the race, with the team taking the corresponding starting position for this afternoon's Feature race.

South Africa were unhappy with the decision, but confirmed they will not appeal it.

South African team manager Mike Carroll said: "Paddock Hill Bend is a high-risk corner for overtaking and it is our opinion that Switzerland had a greater responsibility to avoid an accident when they decided to try and pass us in this corner.

Zaugg said he was surprised Buemi had made his move at the first turn. "I gave him as much room as I could, but there was contact as we went through the corner," he said. "I thought it was a racing incident."

Buemi believed he wasn't responsible, however. He said: "We came and I did the first part of the corner side-by-side and we continued to turn and then we hit. Before, I had enough room, but he tried to stay on the outside, which you can do, but then he continued to close and we touched."

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