Andreas Wernersson and Tomas Engström hit with penalties for Karlskoga contact

Brink Motorsport’s Andreas Wernersson and Kågered Racing driver Tomas Engström have both been given time penalties for incidents in the final three laps of Race 1 at Karlskoga.

Engström was given a five-second penalty for contact with Tobias Brink, who the Volkswagen driver had been fighting all race long with for fifth position with three laps to go, which resulted in Brink running out wide and losing two positions, including to his team-mate Wernersson.

Wernersson, who is second in the standings, was given a stronger ten-second penalty for running into the rear of Engström’s Golf GTI TCR at Turn 1 on lap 16, which forced Engström out wide and behind three cars.

Engström’s penalty still sees him finish eighth, and Wernersson’s penalty overlaps his and drops the Audi driver from fifth to ninth in the final result.

“The Audi (or Brink) was closing the door on every lap. I was a lot quicker,” said Engström to TouringCarTimes.

“I tried to overtake him then he closed the door and we had contact, and then he braked early in the final corner and then I hit his rear.

“(As for) Wernersson, I asked him if he had brain damage? It’s not usual for him, he doesn’t do that – he started to push me on the middle of the straight – it’s strange, as he’s fighting for the championship.”

Tobias Brink, who had been knocked out of fifth from Engström’s move, reclaimed fifth following the two penalties.

“(Engström) gave me a big hit and I just managed to make the corner,” said Brink to TouringCarTimes.

“It was quite an ugly one. And then Andreas made a mistake (when he ran into Engström). Engström turned in on Andreas at the start, and then he pushed me a lot as well, so we’re quite disappointed with his behaviour. He got a five second penalty, I don’t believe that’s fair, but that’s how it is.”