Formula E driver Daniel Abt has been disqualified from the latest Race at Home Challenge event and handed a $NZ18,000 fine.
After having been classified as third in Saturday’s event, it was then found that Abt had let a professional esports racer take control of his car.
After the event, Mercedes driver Stoffel Vandoorne accused Abt of not actually driving during the race and expressed his frustrations on his Twitch stream.
“Really not happy here because that was not Daniel driving the car himself, and he messed up everything. That was ridiculous.”
Formula E issued a statement on Sunday, confirming Abt’s disqualification from the race due to “sporting misconduct”. He was also stripped of his points and has been handed a $NZ18,000 fine to a charity of his choice.
Abt apologised for his actions and admitted he didn’t take the series as seriously as he should have.
“I would like to apologise to Formula E, all of my fans, my team and my fellow drivers for having called in outside help during the race on Saturday. I did not take it as seriously as I should have. I am especially sorry about this because I know how much work has gone into this project on the part of the Formula E organisation.
“I am aware that my offence has a bitter aftertaste, but it was never meant with any bad intention. Of course, I accept my disqualification from the race.”
The sim racing ‘imposter’, 18-year-old Lorenz Hoerzing, has been banned from competing in any Challenge rounds going forward.
Image: Audi Sport