Mugello AutoGP: Van Buuren loses win after post-race penalty

The Manor MP Motorsport driver was judged to have crossed the pitlane exit's white line when rejoining the road from his mandatory pitstop, breeching the regulations in the process.

"We have lost the victory," Manor MP team manager Sander Dorsman confirmed. "I am really unhappy for Meindert as, I think, he did a perfect job.

"The team also made a really good pitstop to get him back out in the lead.

"If you look at the video, he only ran onto the white line on the final two metres of it, and only by a few centimetres, before rejoining.

"At least we know now that he can win, and it just confirms all of the improvements he has made this season."

Van Buuren branded the penalty harsh.

"I think it's crazy," said van Buuren, who had not scored an Auto GP podium before Saturday's race.

"I didn't really cross the line, I just ran onto it at the very end, by centimetres, and then you turn and rejoin the track.

"I think it is really harsh, as you're doing 200km/h there. I'll just have to try and win again tomorrow."

Dorsman summed up the mood in his team by noting, "It's a fine line between a celebration and, I don't know, suicide or something - and that margin is a white line."