Czech driver Tomas Enge has been suspended from racing for 18 months by the FIA after failing a random drug test earlier this season.
The test was performed May 27 after the FIA GT1 World Championship race held at Navarra. Enge was one of the drivers of the Lamborghini Gallardo of team Reiter Engineering.
Enge, who already failed a drug test in 2002 that cost him his title in the FIA Formula 3000 Championship, was caught again.
Yesterday, we learned that American NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger was released by Penske Racing for having also failed a random drug test.
On his Czech Facebook page, Enge gave his comments to his fans. He claims that he was caught for using a freely available drug.
“The test showed in my blood banned stimulants or their metabolites. Expert opinions, however, have shown that these CHC substances were not used for doping. It was also recognized by the FIA anti-doping commission in its decision. According to strict anti-doping legislation, the athlete is also responsible for unconscious use of a prohibited substance or its use by negligence,” Enge wrote.
He then explained that the Commission first wanted to ban him for two years but this was reduced to 18 months when it acknowledged that the said drug had not been taken intentionally.
“Yes, I think it is a hard punishment. But I deny having taken the drug intentionally. I think the whole thing a misunderstanding. I had already asked the FIA the permission to use a medication containing a prohibited substance for the treatment of a cardiovascular problem I have. After consulting with a lawyer, I intend to appeal in front of the Court of Appeal in Lausanne. Thank you for tour support. Tomas”.
The test was performed May 27 after the FIA GT1 World Championship race held at Navarra. Enge was one of the drivers of the Lamborghini Gallardo of team Reiter Engineering.
Enge, who already failed a drug test in 2002 that cost him his title in the FIA Formula 3000 Championship, was caught again.
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| Tomas Enge, Lamborghini. (Photo: FIA GT) |
Yesterday, we learned that American NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger was released by Penske Racing for having also failed a random drug test.
On his Czech Facebook page, Enge gave his comments to his fans. He claims that he was caught for using a freely available drug.
“The test showed in my blood banned stimulants or their metabolites. Expert opinions, however, have shown that these CHC substances were not used for doping. It was also recognized by the FIA anti-doping commission in its decision. According to strict anti-doping legislation, the athlete is also responsible for unconscious use of a prohibited substance or its use by negligence,” Enge wrote.
He then explained that the Commission first wanted to ban him for two years but this was reduced to 18 months when it acknowledged that the said drug had not been taken intentionally.
“Yes, I think it is a hard punishment. But I deny having taken the drug intentionally. I think the whole thing a misunderstanding. I had already asked the FIA the permission to use a medication containing a prohibited substance for the treatment of a cardiovascular problem I have. After consulting with a lawyer, I intend to appeal in front of the Court of Appeal in Lausanne. Thank you for tour support. Tomas”.