IndyCar places Helio Castroneves on probation for derogatory tweet
Helio Castroneves has been placed on probation until the end of June for violating IndyCar's social media policy
The Penske driver will remain under a warning until June 30 following a tweet issued from his Twitter account immediately after two weeks ago.
The message read: 'IndyCar officials continuing not punishing some drivers and giving green flag during accident', and was accompanied by an image of an IndyCar logo with a red thumbs down icon superimposed over the top.
Castroneves deleted the tweet within minutes of its appearance and issued a swift apology, claiming that it had been authored by his sister Kati without his knowledge.
"I apologise for the earlier tweet degrading IndyCar series which I did not write or agree with," he wrote.
"Unfortunately my sister used my Twitter account without my authorisation while expressing her own thoughts.
"Once again I apologise to the stewards, and the correct call was made."
Kati Castroneves later issued additional tweets from her own account shouldering responsibility for the mistake.
Series officials determined that the communication was in violation of Rule 9.3.8 (Social Media Policy), and the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner is free to appeal the decision according to the guidelines and timeframes stated within the rules.
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