The American Josef Newgarden won the premiere of the Indycar series in St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 10, but a month and a half later comes the news that he has been washed and stripped of the victory.
Stall Penske is said to have manipulated the turbo system used in laps so that it could be put into play during starts and restarts, which is not allowed.
The measure was only discovered before the second part of the competition this past weekend in Long Beach, California.
The two-time championship winner Newgarden – who last season won the Indy 500 race – must have used the advantage during the race and is now deprived of the victory. Team mate Scott McLaughlin is also washed up and is forced to take third place.
“I pushed the (turbo) button out of habit, but I didn’t pass any cars and I didn’t get any time advantage either. A mistake was made†McLaughlin writes in social media.
The third driver, Will Power, who finished fourth in the race, should not have used the turbo incorrectly and is now moved up to second place in the results list, but receives a deduction of ten points in the overall standings.
“A big disappointment. I’m ashamed, writes stable owner Roger Penske in a text message to the AP news agency.
The second Pato O’Ward of the race now gets the victory in St. Petersburg and the Swede Felix Rosenqvist becomes the new fifth after having originally finished in seventh place.
In the overall standings, Scott Dixon, who won in Long Beach, takes over the lead from Newgarden.
The next race in the Indycar Series will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, this weekend (April 26-28).
