Team BMR confirm Aron Smith ignored team orders at Brands Hatch

Team BMR have issued a statement confirming that Aron Smith ignored radio messages to let his team-mate Jason Plato past during the first race at Brands Hatch, for which Plato derided his younger team-mate after the race, angry it may have hurt his championship chances.

Following a fraught final day where Plato aired his frustrations with Smith in a live TV interview on ITV4, the team has said it “fully acknowledges and understands” the double champion’s frustrations, but the matter has now been resolved.

The team said Smith ignored requests to let both Plato and Colin Turkington past in race one, instead holding on to his second place behind Mat Jackson, and again in race two before eventually letting Plato by.

The statement issued by the team on their website said: “We would like to start off by confirming that during 2015 all Team BMR drivers were free to race each other. There were no team orders until the point where drivers were unable to win the drivers’ championship.

“Lengthy discussions during team meetings over the duration of the weekend took place between management and drivers, and it was agreed when team orders would and should be used. An agreement was entered into by all parties that when certain scenarios arose, a clear instruction would be given to the drivers by their engineers. These instructions were to be actioned without delay.

“During race 1, clear instructions were given over the radio to Aron Smith numerous times to assist his team mates. Despite these instructions Aron did not adhere to those team requests, continuing to race and maintain his podium position, and in doing so, taking valuable points away from his teammates.

“During race 2, Aron was again asked numerous times to follow team orders. These requests were eventually complied with.

“Team BMR fully acknowledges and indeed understands the frustrations verbalised by Jason Plato, after Team BMR instructions were not directly followed by Aron Smith which cost Colin, Jason and the team the opportunity of scoring vital points.”

A statement from Smith, also on the team’s website, said: “I just want to take this opportunity to say that the managerial, technical and mechanical work the guys have put into creating a championship winning car this year has been faultless. Having looked back on this weekend’s races I humbly regret not doing more to help them claim the title that they so definitely deserved.

“This year I have seen first-hand all the work that has gone into these cars and I regret allowing a weekend of high emotion and quick decisions to in any way reduce BMR’s chances of taking the coveted crown. These guys have been a family to me for the last two years and I wish that I had made a few different decisions at the time.

“I made a mistake and I’m only sorry that this time it did not just affect me, but it effected my team mates and the people who worked so hard to get the car in with a fighting chance. I am both honoured and proud to be part of BMR’s team win and part of the best team in the paddock.”