Kiwi driver Scott McLaughlin has responded to his IndyCar disqualification after a review of Team Penske found they had manipulated the push-to-pass system.
McLaughlin — who finished third in the season-opening race — was disqualified alongside reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden. A third Team Penske member, Will Power, was not penalised but docked 10 points.
Push-to-pass was a button that activated a system delivering increased power through turbo boost for a predetermined period during the race. It was turned off for starts and restarts, but somehow Team Penske had access.
In a statement to his Facebook page, McLaughlin said he was proud to be a member of Team Penske and that he fully stood with his teammates.
"Simply put, a mistake was made."
He said he was not aware of the situation with the software, which Team Penske president Tim Cindric said was "not removed as it should have been".
"I used a single, very brief (1.9 second) deployment of push to pass in a section of the track exit of turn 9 where it is typically utilised throughout the race," McLaughlin said.
"I hit the button out of habit, but I did not pass any cars nor did I gain any time advantage.
"While I accept the penalty, I want to be clear that I did not gain an advantage over my competitors."
A review of the data from the St. Petersburg race showed that Team Penske manipulated the overtake system so the three Penske drivers could use push-to-pass on starts and restarts.
According to IndyCar rules, the use of the overtake wasn't available until the car reached the alternate start-finish line.
Additionally, all three Penske drivers were fined NZ$42,000 and forfeited all prize money associated with the race.
SHARE ME