Jean-Karl Vernay and Stefano Comini both call spat “unprofessional”

Jean-Karl Vernay and Stefano Comini have both called each other unprofessional for the events during Race 1 today at the Rustavi circuit in Georgia, after contact both in-race and then post-race, which ultimately saw Comini unable to take part in Race 2.

Team WRT Volkswagen driver Vernay started ahead of his former team-mate Comini and was ahead into Turn 1, but Comini made a move down the inside with his Comtoyou Racing Audi RS 3 at Turn 2 and the two made contact as the Swiss driver made his way past.

The move seemed relatively innocuous and the stewards investigated but decided no action was warranted, but it proved to have played on the minds of the drivers after the race after they came together on the slowing down lap, with Comini reported to have run into the rear of Vernay’s Golf, breaking his front radiator and effectively ruling him out of Race 2.

“My team don’t want to go to the stewards, they’ve not even looked at the camera, they don’t want to go to the stewards, I don’t know why,” said Comini to TouringCarTimes.

“It’s a circle – I’m here to win the championship, and I will do it, I promise you. I’m very proud of my guys and my mechanics. I’m very happy about the first race, but as for the second race I’m totally disappointed.

“Jean-Karl is a very frustrated man. In the second corner, he left the door open, I got inside and then he hit me. It was his fault, not mine. He’s frustrated, it’s not my problem. I enjoy motorsport, but this isn’t motorsport. I’m happy that he’s frustrated, as I will win the championship, and he will lose the championship, as he’s not psychologically strong.”

Vernay refutes Comini’s claim that he brake-tested him after the race, and believes the championship needs to do something about Comini’s behaviour.

“On a normal road, it’s the guy behind that’s at fault anyway, but I wouldn’t even think about doing something like that, I’m not that kind of driver,” said Vernay to TouringCarTimes.

“This is too bad. I don’t think it’s because of me. We were friends, we had a good collaboration, but he’s started the fight. It’s not good, as it looks completely unprofessional for the championship.

“The race director has to be more severe,” he added. “As otherwise he will continue racing like this.”

Footage of the first incident during the race is available below: