IndyCar: Andretti gets fine, probation for blue-flag violation

INDYCAR announced Sunday morning that it has issued penalties against Marco Andretti and his team Andretti Autosport for actions in Saturday's Race 1 of the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston double-header.

Andretti was shown the blue flag while holding up leader Takuma Sato during Saturday's race and yielded only after the A.J. Foyt Racing driver had lost much of his advantage over Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe, who then jumped Sato at the next round of pit stops.

INDYCAR has fined Andretti $2,500 and has placed him on probation for three races, beginning with Race 2 this afternoon, for violating Rule 7.2.5.2 (failure to heed the blue flag) of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook. The sanctioning body also has fined Andretti Autosport $2,500.

Like all penalties, they are subject to appeal by driver and team.