Davit Kajaia missed his drive-through call due to radio problem

PCR Sport’s Davit Kajaia has explained he missed the team’s call asking him to serve his drive-through penalty due to a radio problem, which resulted in the Georgian becoming the first driver to be black-flagged following the new stewards’ directives.

The officials have said ahead of this weekend, following feedback from the teams and drivers and after a number of high-profile incidents in recent events, that penalties will be more forthcoming, and also that not taking them will result in a black flag.

Kajaia became the first victim after an incident at the end of lap seven, when he spun the rival Cupra TCR of Alex Morgan around, which in turn saw Morgan collect the rear of Target Competition’s Mat’o Homola.

Morgan retired with damage, while Kajaia drove on and worked his way up to ninth, before it was ordered he was to serve a drive-through penalty.

Ignoring the call, Kajaia was then black-flagged, pitting on lap 11 and was out of the race.

“At the beginning of the race it was a mess, but I chose a good line and made a lot of positions,” said Kajaia to TouringCarTimes.

“Later I was fighting with (Alex) Morgan, who was also fighting with (Luca) Filippi and (Mat’o) Homola; and at the last corner, they were side-by-side and touched, with Homola pushing Morgan into my line.

“So suddenly he was in my line and my front bumper hit his rear bumper and he spun; but there was nothing I could do.

“It was a shame as I had good pace; I felt comfortable with the car, I went on to overtake some cars but my radio wasn’t working, so I didn’t hear that I had a drive-through.

“I didn’t see the team put up the drive-through sign because I was close to the car before, and then it was too late and I saw the black flag.

“I’m now focussing on tomorrow and hope it’ll be a luckier day than today.”