Gelael withdraws from Silverstone F2 feature race
Prema Racing driver Sean Gelael has withdrawn from Saturday's opening Formula 2 race at Silverstone, citing “personal reasons”, after being given a grid penalty.
Gelael was on a flying lap in practice on Friday when he encountered Carlin driver Louis Deletraz in the middle of Brooklands corner.
The Indonesian had nowhere to go and hit Deletraz, with the latter able to continue and Gelael out of the session.
Gelael had qualified 18th, and then on Saturday afternoon the stewards issued a statement to say that Gelael was to blame for the incident and issued a three-place grid drop.
A statement issued by Prema read: “Prema Racing regrets to announce that driver Sean Gelael will not take part in the Silverstone races due to personal reasons following the events that occurred in the first part of the weekend."
Prema team principal Rene Rosin added: “We are sad to see Sean sit out of the races but we respect his decision.
“We look forward to giving our 100% to score the best possible results here at Silverstone."
Referring to the practice incident, a statement issued by Formula 2 said: “The Stewards determined that the Prema driver [Gelael] misjudged the position of car 01 [Deletraz] in the corner.
“Gelael’s right tyre made contact with the front left tyre of Deletraz in the corner which broke the Indonesian’s suspension.
“After clarification of the wording of the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Sporting Regulations Article 38.3, the stewards have decided to reconsider their initial decision and have given a drop of three grid places to Gelael for today’s feature race at Silverstone.
“He will now start from P20 at the back of the grid.”
Gelael, whose teammate at Prema is Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher, lies 16th in the standings with a best finish so far this year of sixth in Baku.
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About this article
| Series | FIA F2 |
| Event | Silverstone |
| Drivers | Sean Gelael |
| Teams | Prema Powerteam |
| Author | Jack Benyon |
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