Photo: WTCC Media

Stefano D’Aste given 30-second penalty for Mehdi Bennani clash

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Münnich Motorsport Chevrolet driver Stefano D’Aste has been given a 30-second penalty added to his time in race one at the Moscow Raceway for his part in the incident with Sébastien Loeb Racing’s Mehdi Bennani on the opening lap.

The Italian driver ran into the back of the Moroccan at the start of the race, spinning Bennani’s Citroën C-Elysée WTCC around, the Bennani then forced to drive back up the order, passing D’Aste to eventually finish the race 14th and outside of the points.

D’Aste finished 15th, but with the stewards finding him at fault, he was given a 30-second penalty which dropped him behind the Craft-Bamboo Chevrolet of Grégoire Demoustier to 16th and the last classified finished. Although it makes no difference in terms of overall points, it does mean D’Aste goes from fifth to sixth in the independents’ classification for the race.