Fernando Monje given penalty for Thompson collision

Fernando Monje has been given a five place grid drop for the next round at the Slovakiaring after a crash with LADA Sport Lukoil’s James Thompson on the second lap of race two at Marrakech.

The Spanish driver hit the back of Thompson’s Lada at Turn 9 on lap two, with both drivers eliminated from the race. Monje had just previously made contact with Rob Huff’s SEAT at the end of lap one at the hairpin, and suspected he had picked up damage in the contact, which also ended Huff’s race.

“I’m really sorry for (Thompson), I could do nothing because my car was damaged,” said Monje to TouringCarTimes.

“I’d braked a bit earlier than my normal braking point down on the chicane, but I went straight because the steering was just not straight and I crashed into him. I don’t know exactly what happened, perhaps the suspension…but when I braked I just couldn’t stop the car as normal and I crashed.”

Monje will drop five positions from the position where he qualifies at the next race at the Slovakiaring in three weeks’ time.