IndyCar: Helio Castroneves put on probation

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Officials of the Verizon IndyCar series have put Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves on probation.

The officials claim that the popular Brazilian has violated the series' social media policy.

The outspoken driver was penalized for a tweet sent from his official account after the Long Beach IndyCar race.

In his message, Castroneves criticized race control for not penalizing drivers during the race. His tweet included an image of IndyCar's official logo with a "thumbs down" symbol photo-shopped in the center.

The controversial tweet was deleted not long after it appeared.

The three-time Indy 500 winner later wrote that his sister had sent the missive from his account without his permission.

"I apologize and the steward were correct with the call made," Castroneves wrote.

Official Twitter page of Helio Castroneves.