Opel protest Vervisch and Vernay’s pass at Monza

DG Sport has lodged a protest to the stewards of the meeting for the driving standards that cost several positions to Mat’o Homola, including a double overtaking manoeuvre at the first chicane.

The Slovakian was in fifth position when, on lap four, M1RA’s Roberto Colciago and Comtoyou Racing’s Frédéric Vervisch came together at the first chicane, colliding and cutting through the escape route. The Belgian gave the Frenchman the position back, but both overtook Homola’s Opel Astra, not giving the position back.

The team have protested to the stewards about the incident. “I was pushed by Roberto Colciago at the beginning, but then Vernay and Vervisch came through cutting the chicane. I was waiting for them to give the position back, but they didn’t. We have spoken to the stewards because we think this is not good behaviour and it’s not good for the championship” Mat’o Homola told TouringCarTimes.

Frédéric Vervisch, who eventually finished third and for the first time on the podium, said: “I’m not concerned at the moment, we were just racing. For now, I don’t have an opinion, let’s see what the stewards have to say.”

The stewards are also investigating the incident at the first corner that caused Craft-Bamboo’s Hugo Valente to retire from the race, involving team-mate Pepe Oriola and M1RA’s Attila Tassi, as well as the action that ended the race for WestCoast Racing’s Gianni Morbidelli with two laps to go.