Crash rules Bonanomi out of finale

The 23-year-old Italian's Comtec machine flipped on the main straight, after touching wheels with the Carlin car while disputing the lead of the race.

"I have set a new record, twice to the medical centre in one day," said Bonanomi in reference to his accident in the morning that contributed to the wet Super Pole session being abandoned.

"The problem in the race was that Aleshin moved over on me twice," he explained. "He made one move to the right and then on the second time it was too late.

"My wheels were already alongside and, although we touched gently, it had big consequences. I had my eyes open, and I could see the sky, but the time when I was really worried was when I was on the ground and could see the pitwall getting closer.

"The car had already taken a big hit. It is not the way that I wanted to finish with World Series. I was much faster than Aleshin in the race, and I could have won and finished my championship in a good position."

Bonanomi, who was shaken but uninjured in the crash, added that Aleshin apologised after the race.

"He came to my box to say sorry," said Bonanomi. "I said 'well I accept you're sorry but it doesn't change the fact that I have lost the race and my car is finished.' The race stewards asked me about the crash, I explained to them what happened but it makes no difference to me whether he gets a 25-second penalty or keeps his second place.

"I've lost my race, and I think he knows the truth about what happened and that's the important thing."

Aleshin, for his part, viewed the incident as a racing accident. "I saw the result of what happened and was amazed as I had felt just a very light touch," said Aleshin. "I am sorry for Marco, but I felt I moved to the right continuously. This can happen in racing."