Appeal Lodged by Pescarolo Sport
- - PRESS INFORMATION - -
Brackley, UK, Thursday 19th July 2001: Following the incident which
occurred during Round 3 of the European Le Mans Series at Circuito do
Estoril on Sunday 15th July and the subsequent exclusion of Car 72,
Pescarolo Sport, a letter of appeal was sent by Henri Pescarolo to the
Portuguese Automobil Federation, with copies sent to the FIA and FFSA. The
letter was presented in French, the English translation is as follows;
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Mr Chairman, Stewards,
During the 1000km ELMS event at Estoril the Courage C60 Peugeot car of my
team, Pescarolo Sport, was disqualified after the race, even though we had
won the race and the podium ceremony had taken place.
I lodged an appeal against this decision within the time allowed.
Before going back over the grounds of this disqualification and the events
themselves, I would like to inform you that if the stewards were
endangered by the collision which brought about the exit of the Coronel
Audi, I am particularly sorry, just as Boris Derichebourg is. The incident
wasn't caused intentionally, at 290km/h, one doesn't deliberately hit
another car, the outcome being unpredictable.
This being said the procedures used are marred by an irregularity. I was
not listened to as Director of my Team by the group of stewards before the
decision to disqualify was taken. Only Boris Derichebourg had been
listened to when the penalty was considered, not for the driver, but for
the team. I would like to remind you of my last 33 years as driver and my
20 wins in the World Endurance Championship. That would perhaps allow me
to reveal some useful facts for your consideration.
And in any case, as Team Manager, I should have been consulted before the
decision was taken, not after, as has been the case.
But going back to the facts, I absolutely do not dispute that Boris
Derichebourg hit the rear of the Audi driven by Coronel in the braking
zone after the stands. The statement of my driver is as follows;
"Coronel, after having overtaken me in the straight line of the
stands, pulled in front of me. I tried to avoid it (the car) but couldn't
manage it, all the more so since my brake pedal had begun to have more and
more movement. It is in my opinion a 'race event, obviously regrettable,
and I deplore it."
The grounds of the disqualification are a violation of articles;
- App. H, Chapter II, Art. 4.1.2 d) Blue flag during the race
- App. L, Chapter IV, Art.2.b) Driver not letting other driver to overtake
Can I be permitted to remind you, and the lap by lap is very clear on this
subject, that Boris Derichebourg and Tom Coronel lapped for more than 50
laps in the same time, and that they overtook several times and it was a
question of two cars at the head of the race fighting for victory. They
were separated by 1min 31secs after 4½ hours of the race, that is to say
a lap. It is necessary to know that this gap corresponds to a refuelling,
and that at this moment in the race, both cars still had the chance of
winning. It was therefore logical that the two drivers started a duel of
which there was obviously not good ground to wave blue flags and no case
to request a driver let another pass. In this case, it would have
prevented a driver from defending the chances of his car until the finish.
Mr Chairman, Stewards, if you consider that Boris Derichebourg has done
something foolish, it is the driver who should be punished and not his
team. This was the first win for the Pescarolo Sport team. We have made
considerable efforts, my partner and myself, to be competitive at a high
level. My honest and sporting mind has been acknowledged during my long
career, punishing the team will lead it to believe that it's the team that
is at fault at the strategic level of the race, which is obviously not the
case. If, however, the disqualification of the Courage C60 Peugeot of the
Pescarolo Sport Team is confirmed we would clearly question the competence
of the FIA Appeal Tribunal.
In the hope that these points allow you to re-establish the finishing
order approved on the podium.
Yours sincerely,
Henri Pescarolo
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The date for the appeal hearing by the Portuguese ASN is expected to be
announced before close of business on Monday 23rd July.
- ENDS -
For further information contact;
Martin Allerton, Press and Promotions Co-ordinator, European Le Mans
Series
Telephone : +44 (0)1242 268980
Facsimile : +44 (0)1242 268981
Email : Martin@elms2001.com
Web : www.europeanlemans.com