SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

HRT fined $20,000 after Yamamoto hits team member

The race stewards of the Italian Grand Prix have fined the Spanish HRT team $20,000 after it's driver Sakon Yamamoto hit a team member during his pit stop during todays race.

The stewards issued the fine for breaching Article 23.1 (j) of the sporting regulations for an unsafe release from a pit stop. The rear wheel of Yamamoto's car ran over a team radio engineer's leg, and subsequently an ambulance entered the pit lane to attend to him, and the engineer (who has not been named) was taken to the medical center to be treated for his injuries.

Team principal Colin Kolles said, "First aid was immediately (given) on the spot and he was taken to hospital for further checkup. He remained conscious and was talking to the doctor.''

"I asked if he was OK and I was told that he was not badly injured," Yamamoto said. "I kept concentrating during the race and I tried to do the best for the team and we were able to finish another race, so this is good."