Pla disqualifed from first race

The DPR Direxiv machine was six kilos under the minimum of 677.

However, Pla had spent the final three laps with a damaged engine, which emptied its water as its temperature rose. When team refilled the water tanks, the car weighed in a 678kg.

"It's bloody tough," team boss Dave Price told autosport.com. "I wouldn't mind so much if it wasn't for the fact this has cost us a pole position. This could really happen to anybody."

Pla's disqualification capped a terrible result for the team. After their most competitive race of the season, both cars were running in the points.

Clivio Piccione was challenging for a podium finish when he tangled with Michael Ammermuller on the final corner of the last lap, while Pla had been as high as fifth before his engine troubles.

The result means DPR Direxiv is yet to score a point this season.

Venezuelan Ernesto Viso inherited the point.