Triple Eight file protest against 15-sec penalty for Jamie Whincup

Triple Eight Race Engineering has filed a protest against the 15-second penalty Jamie Whincup was awarded for the incident with Scott McLaughlin in the 2016 Bathurst 1000 race.

“Supercars can confirm an appeal has been lodged by Triple Eight Race Engineering Car 88. Under the operations manual all teams have the ability to appeal a particular decision,” said a Supercars spokesman.

“Once the appeal is formally lodged and evidence is submitted, the appeal is heard by the Supercars court of appeal which is appointed independently and the procedures run by CAMS. A date has yet to be set to hear the appeal. The results of today’s race are final but subject to the appeal.”

The incident came in the final part of the race when Whincup tried to pass Volvo driver McLaughlin at the chase in the fight for second place.

The two touched, with McLaughlin going over the grass and colliding with Garth Tander. McLaughlin was able to continue while Tander was eliminated. Whincup crossed the finishing line first, but dropped down the order with his 15-second penalty.

“We have protested the 15 seconds because the penalty they gave is completely inconsistent with what we have been given as the way the rules will be enforced this year,” said Triple Eight Race Engineering owner Roland Dane to supercars.com.

“It is questionable whether Jamie was guilty of any crime when you actually look at the incident with McLaughlin. The stewards have confirmed that the 15 seconds penalty is nothing to do with the aftermath. That wasn’t Jamie’s fault. It was only to do with the incident with McLaughlin.”