The A1 Team Netherlands appeals their sanction!

The A1 Team Netherlands was penalized by the race stewards after the third round of the A1GP World Championship for jumping the start in the first of the two races, known as the Sprint race.

Jeroen Bleekemolen – driver from the Netherlands – according to the stewards, started nearly 4 seconds before the lights went out to signify the start. He then allegedly found himself directly alongside South Africa, who started in 8th place, two spots ahead of the Netherlands – qualified in 10th.

Bleekemolen contested this penalty, believing that the decision was completely flawed.

« The penalty I received for my departure is, I think, really ridiculous! » confirms the 26-year-old Dutchman. « I have never been so angry in my life during a race! »

According to the commissioners, I would have left 4 seconds before the start and next to South Africa, but in that case, I would have already had time to cross the line! It’s completely ‘phony,’ he continued furiously after the official announcement on the microphone of an A1 TV journalist.

Bleekemolen not only believes that the penalty is unjustified, but that the stewards should have come to explain the reason for it. « They didn’t even explain the situation to us, and as a result, I couldn’t eat before the second race… »

According to Jan Lammers – the head of A1 Team Netherlands, the problem would not be Bleekemolen’s good start, but rather Adrian Zaugg’s poor start; the South African got off to a very bad start, which prompted him to appeal the decision.

« We have presented our evidence to the justice system, and now the story is in their hands, but in my 36 years of experience, I have never seen a single appeal validated… » Concluded Lammers.

The Netherlands received a 25-second penalty for this reason, dropping them from 8th to 18th position at the finish and costing them the three points they had gained.