Trident Formula 2 team drops banned Haas F1 junior Santino Ferrucci
Formula 2 team Trident Motorsport has parted ways with banned Haas Formula 1 junior driver Santino Ferrucci, who crashed into team-mate Arjun Maini and drove with a phone in hand
Ferrucci is banned for the next two events - the Hungaroring and Spa - after driving into the left-rear of Maini's car on the Silverstone sprint race cool-down lap. The two had clashed in both Silverstone races.
Ferrucci was also fined €66,000 for driving without a glove on, while also holding a mobile phone as he drove between paddocks in his F2 car.
Trident has cited Ferrucci's actions, as well as payment issues, for the reason of the contract termination.
The statement said Trident had "communicated to Santino Ferrucci and to its guarantor, a company represented by Mr Michael Ferrucci, the termination of the contract with the team.
"This decision was motivated by the events - which are now in the public domain - that occurred at Silverstone, as well as by the serious breach of driver's payment obligations.
"Since the beginning of the championship, the driver justified his payment default with alleged failure by his sponsors to fulfil their obligations.
"It seems weird that, despite such kind of issues, Santino Ferrucci had the resources needed to enter the Detroit IndyCar race from June 1-3 while, at the same time, he was not honouring his agreement with Trident Motorsport.
"Trident gave mandate to its lawyers in order to activate all the procedures needed to fully recover its credits towards the driver."
Trident has a week to finalise a replacement for Ferrucci in time for the next F2 round on the Hungarian Grand Prix support bill.
Autosport understands that Ferrucci has also been released by his management company, Julian Jakobi's GP Sports Management.
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