BMR admits Smith snubbed BTCC team orders to help Plato, Turkington
British Touring Car Championship outfit Team BMR has confirmed driver Aron Smith did deliberately ignore team orders to assist Jason Plato and Colin Turkington during the Brands Hatch title decider
Plato was furious the Irishman did not back the pack up in the opening race, or move aside later on for Plato and the team's other title protagonist Turkington.
In interviews with Autosport and Motorsport News after the race, Plato lambasted Smith while BMR boss Warren Scott said the situation was the result of a "miscommunication" from the team.
However, Team BMR issued a statement on Wednesday evening confirming Smith did ignore a team order in race one - and suggested he was slow to act in the second race as well when Plato was behind him again.
"Lengthy discussions during team meetings over the duration of the weekend took place between management and drivers, and it was agreed when team orders would and should be used," the statement read.
"An agreement was entered into by all parties that when certain scenarios arose, a clear instruction would be given to the drivers by their engineers.
"These instructions were to be actioned without delay.
"During race one, clear instructions were given over the radio to Aron Smith numerous times to assist his team-mates.
"Despite these instructions Aron did not adhere to those team requests, continuing to race and maintain his podium position, and in doing so, taking valuable points away from his team-mates.
"During race two, Aron was again asked numerous times to follow team orders. These requests were eventually complied with."
Speaking live on television in the immediate aftermath of race one Plato claimed Smith had "probably got himself the sack".
The team's statement added: "Team BMR fully acknowledges and indeed understands the frustrations verbalised by Jason Plato, after Team BMR instructions were not directly followed by Aron Smith which cost Colin, Jason and the team the opportunity of scoring vital points."
At the time, Smith insisted to Autosport he did play the team game, but now says he "made a mistake".
"Having looked back on this weekend's races I humbly regret not doing more to help them claim the title that they so definitely deserved," he said in the team statement.
"This year I have seen first-hand all the work that has gone into these cars and I regret allowing a weekend of high emotion and quick decisions to in any way reduce BMR's chances of taking the coveted crown.
"These guys have been a family to me for the last two years and I wish that I had made a few different decisions at the time.
"I made a mistake and I'm only sorry that this time it did not just affect me, but it affected my team mates and the people who worked so hard to get the car in with a fighting chance."
The team says it now considers the matter resolved.
BTCC teams planning non-championship festival event for 2016
British Touring Car Championship changes race two grid format
New social media study shows striking swings in MotoGP's popularity
An analysis of the social networks of MotoGP riders and teams confirms that Marc Marquez has taken over from Valentino Rossi as the series' most popular figure.
Cosworth: F1 return not on radar despite Ford's comeback
Cosworth is not considering a future return to Formula 1 despite former partner Ford’s comeback with Red Bull in 2026, saying it “hasn’t been a focus.”
Ekstrom joins World RX as sporting director for 2023 season
One-time World RallyCross Championship title-winner Mattias Ekstrom will join the series promoter as sporting director ahead of its second season of its full-electric regulations.
FIA president Ben Sulayem steps back from day-to-day F1 operations
The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has stepped back from the day-to-day running of Formula 1 ahead of the new season.
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The season just gone was a memorable one for many of our staff writers, who are fortunate enough to cover motorsport around the world. Here are our picks of the best (and in some cases, most eventful) from 2022
How the BTCC's new hybrid era aced its first test
Expectations were high for the start of the British Touring Car Championship’s hybrid power era, and despite nerves and problems to solve prior to its debut the new rules gained widespread approval. Here’s how the first test at Donington Park was passed and the thorough examinations that are to follow
The Ford BTCC superteam combining two reigning TOCA champions
Reigning BTCC champion Ash Sutton and Porsche Carrera Cup GB victor Dan Cammish form a potent line-up at the Motorbase-run NAPA Racing team as the series adopts hybrid power. With Sutton bringing the key components of his title-winning Laser Tools Racing set-up, and Cammish eager to prove a point on his return, their dynamic is set to be one of the season's major talking points
The stalwart tin-top boss still shaping careers more than 40 years on
Veteran team manager Marvin Humphries and former Tech-Speed team boss has worked not only with stars of the British Touring Car Championship, but legends including Gil de Ferran, Hans Stuck and Tom Sneva in a long and varied career that has spanned five decades across tin-tops, single-seaters and sportscars
The grassroots rise that shaped an understated BTCC star
Having started out in club-level competitions alongside his own university engineering studies, Josh Cook's journey to becoming an established frontrunner in the British Touring Car Championship is atypical. But it's these experiences that have moulded the 30-year-old into a humble star, respected throughout the paddock
Ranking the top 10 BTCC drivers of 2021
A refresh in equipment and some returning faces helped contribute to a supremely competitive 2021 British Touring Car Championship campaign. Ash Sutton was crowned a three-time champion, successfully defending his 2020 title, but faced stiff competition in the final year before the switch to hybrid. Autosport picks out the best performers
Why the BTCC's ballast increase couldn't stop champion Sutton
Ballast will be gone from the BTCC next year as hybrid power enters the scene, but for its final season the maximum was increased from 60kg to 75kg. Despite having to carry that nearly all season, Ash Sutton was always the favourite to pocket a third title - the 27-year-old getting his reward for a season of speed tempered by savvy to nail his opportunities
The much-loved tin-top superstar bowing out at 59
OPINION: It's not often that a driver achieves widespread affection for their personality, as well as their on-track performances. One such individual is Gabriele Tarquini, who will soon bring the curtain down on a remarkable career that has yielded touring car titles on the European and global stage - and, famously, in Britain too
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.