Nurburgring Auto GP: Kevin Giovesi given grid penalty for race two

The penalty was awarded after a minor infringement was discovered in post-race technical checks.

AUTOSPORT understands the issue involves the positioning of a piece of tape on Giovesi's Ghinzani Motorsport machine.

"The penalty was because of the placing of the number on the rear wing, it was too far up," explained Giovesi.

"There was a problem contravening the regulations with the placing of the number, that's all. It's a very small thing."

The Italian had been set to start from seventh on the reversed grid, but will now line up ninth behind Auto GP newcomer Michela Cerruti.

Giovesi's impressive mid-season switch from GP2 to Auto GP has been marred by penalties from race officials.

An on-the-road victory on his maiden weekend in the championship at Silverstone in June was overturned for making an illegal last lap pitstop, and Giovesi was penalised at the following round at Mugello for gaining an advantage through breaching track limits.

Ghinzani Motorsport boss Piercarlo Ghinzani preferred not to comment on the Nurburgring grid penalty.