Jean-Karl Vernay accepts penalty for move on Andy Priaulx

Jean-Karl Vernay has said he’s disappointed, but accepts he misjudged Andy Priaulx’s experience when he tried to make a move down the inside of Turn 1 of the Lynk & Co driver on lap five, which led to Priaulx being knocked wide, and Vernay receiving a time penalty which sent him to seventh from third in the final order.

Vernay had got past the BRC Hyundai of Gabriele Tarquini at the start and was running in fourth following contact between Priaulx and the Honda of Néstor Girolami at the start, before he made the move to try and pass the 2005-2007 world touring car champion.

“I had some good few first laps and was overtaking some guys, but before the race I said to my engineer I’ll play it safe as there’s no way to overtake here,” said Vernay to TouringCarTimes.

“But then, Andy was super-slow on the straights, so I thought let’s go for it, but I should have known an experienced guy like Andy would have closed the door.

“I thought it was a fair move to make and not super-risky, but when he saw I was overtaking and went left, of course he went left. I’ve taken the penalty and lost some places, it’s OK, it’s just disappointing for me to have not finished on the podium.”