Team Skoda France expressed its discontent after the final round of the Andros Trophy ice racing series held in Super Besse this past weekend, and put its future involvement in doubt.
During the Elite Sup finale, Alain Prost (Dacia Lodgy) and Jacques Villeneuve (Skoda Fabia) traded paint when entering the first corner (see video). Prost hit the snow bank and got stuck while Villeneuve continued out in the lead.
But the organizers decided to red flag the race, and Prost had the opportunity to get his car fixed for the restart. Meanwhile, Villeneuve was forced to start from last position on the grid as if he was penalised for his move.
Prost - who had to win the race to clinch title ahead of Benjamin Rivière (Skoda Fabia) - was back ont track, and eventually won the race, and secured his third Andros Trophy title.
Following the incident, Skoda France director expressed his discontent: "Due to the violation of several points of regulation, the Andros Trophy ended in a bad way. The competitor who was initially involved in the first corner's incident could get his car repaired, while Jacques Villeneuve, who was in the lead at the red flag, was dropped down in the back of the grid, without knowing why. We never saw something that !"
In addition, the Skoda France press release expressed that this is "a situation that sport fans do not appreciate, and that the car manufacturers involved in competition – they are not so many – cannot tolerate".
During the Elite Sup finale, Alain Prost (Dacia Lodgy) and Jacques Villeneuve (Skoda Fabia) traded paint when entering the first corner (see video). Prost hit the snow bank and got stuck while Villeneuve continued out in the lead.
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| Alain Prost, Dacia. (Photo: WRi2) |
But the organizers decided to red flag the race, and Prost had the opportunity to get his car fixed for the restart. Meanwhile, Villeneuve was forced to start from last position on the grid as if he was penalised for his move.
Prost - who had to win the race to clinch title ahead of Benjamin Rivière (Skoda Fabia) - was back ont track, and eventually won the race, and secured his third Andros Trophy title.
Following the incident, Skoda France director expressed his discontent: "Due to the violation of several points of regulation, the Andros Trophy ended in a bad way. The competitor who was initially involved in the first corner's incident could get his car repaired, while Jacques Villeneuve, who was in the lead at the red flag, was dropped down in the back of the grid, without knowing why. We never saw something that !"
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| Jacques Villeneuve, Skoda. (Photo: WRi2) |
In addition, the Skoda France press release expressed that this is "a situation that sport fans do not appreciate, and that the car manufacturers involved in competition – they are not so many – cannot tolerate".