De Ferran to race under probation

De Ferran was pulled up by CART's chief steward Chris Kneifel on a number of counts, but most seriously for ignoring a black flag issued to the Penske driver during Saturday's race, when his Reynard-Honda caught fire and fluid began to leak from the back of the car.

The Brazilian continued to lap the Twin Ring oval at full speed despite being shown the black flag and did not return to the pits until his car had been removed from the timing screens.

But de Ferran's string of infringements began at the beginning of the weekend when he exceeded the 50 mph pit lane speed limit, which according to CART rules meant he had to forfeit the second of his qualifying laps, but the 33-year-old proceeded to complete both flying laps.

"Based on this pattern of failing to comply with the instructions of the officials on two occasions," said Kneifel, "Gil was placed on probation. Assuming he is in compliance with following the instructions of the officials over this probation period, there should not be any additional problems."

De Ferran's four-week probation comes at a particularly busy period in the CART calendar and the threat of further punishment will span over the next four races at Milwaukee, Detroit, Portland and Cleveland.

In an unrelated incident, the US$5000 fines levied at Christiano da Matta and Paul Tracy in Mexico and Helio Castroneves at Long Beach have been dropped after review by the stewards. The fines were given for over enthusiasm at the end of the race, which was originally considered to be against post-race protocol.