Carlin angry with Antonio Giovinazzi's Macau Grand Prix penalty
Team boss Trevor Carlin has spoken out against the penalty that cost his driver Antonio Giovinazzi pole position for the Macau Grand Prix
The Italian crossed the line first in the qualification race, but was given a drive-through penalty moments before the chequered flag for his collision with Daniel Juncadella, and in lieu was given a 20-second time penalty, dropping him to 10th.
This was despite a message flashing up on timing screens earlier in the race stating that the incident would be investigated after the race.
It moved Felix Rosenqvist, the 2014 Grand Prix winner and 2015 Formula 3 European champion, into first place in the race and on pole for the GP.
Autosport has learned that despite onboard footage being submitted as extra evidence, the officials did not change their minds on the subject.
Carlin said in a statement: "We're clearly all extremely disappointed about the penalty, particularly after seeing Antonio cross the line first.
"Antonio has been handed a penalty that in our eyes [and many others'] is unnecessary and incorrect for an obvious racing incident, and has deprived the audience of the real battle for the Macau Grand Prix.
"A decision was clearly made very hastily at the end of the race and despite the overwhelming evidence showing that Antonio did nothing wrong whatsoever there is clearly a reluctance to be seen changing the decision.
"We feel sad that Daniel's race ended in such a dramatic fashion, but to hand Antonio such a penalty and to try and place blame in a blameless situation is completely wrong."
Juncadella's Fortec Motorsport car will not start the Grand Prix due to tub damage sustained in the accident.
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