Tekno Autosports’ victory in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is in doubt following an appeal from Red Bull Racing Australia.
Red Bull team owner Roland Dane has confirmed to Speedcafe.com that his squad has appealed the 15 second post-race time penalty handed to its #88 Jamie Whincup/Paul Dumbrell Holden.
Whincup, who went on to take the chequered flag first on the road, was awarded the penalty following contact with Scott McLaughlin on lap 150 of 161.
The six-time Supercars champion had bumped McLaughlin wide at The Chase as he tried to take second on the road from the Volvo.
Whincup then slowed to redress the incident, but subsequent contact between Garth Tander and McLaughlin put the latter two cars into the wall, preventing the Red Bull driver from handing the place back.
The #88 Holden was penalised for its initial contact with McLaughlin, who is in turn being investigated for his re-entry to the circuit.
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Red Bull Racing Australia lodged an intention to appeal shortly after the race and now have two days to gather evidence before submitting its full appeal.
“We have protested the penalty because it is not consistent with what we’ve been told as to the way the rules are applied this year,” Dane told Speedcafe.com.
“The stewards have made it clear that the penalty that was issued had nothing to do with what happened afterwards (the crash with McLaughlin and Tander).
“The incident with McLaughlin itself is firstly questionable whether there is any fault on Jamie’s part because McLaughlin moved over to block in the braking area.
“Maybe or maybe not there was an incident that Jamie would have been adjudged to have been at fault, that is not clear at all.
“But even if he was, then the penalty according to the drivers’ briefing here and during this year is clear; either you redress or if you can’t then it’s a 10 point penalty.
“Either of those penalties could have been applied. That is why we have protested.”
Dane said the fact that Tekno is a long-time customer of Triple Eight and also shares a garage and crew with its third car could have no bearing on the decision of whether or not to appeal.
“You either make the decision or you don’t,” he said.
“You’ve got to do the right thing by the driver and the team, etc. That’s the reality.
“Whether it was them or anyone else is immaterial to me.
“There was an incident that we think has been inappropriately dealt with, so we should deal with it.”
VIDEO: McLaughlin, Whincup and Tander tangle
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