Kox hits out at Ferrari GT team's ban

GT ace Peter Kox has criticized 24H Series organizer Creventic for taking the decision to ban Scuderia Praha from the Mugello 12 Hour.

The Czech team was told it would not be welcomed in the race, after contact between Praha's Matteo Cressoni and the slower Ginetta of Thomas Martinsson during last weekend's Dubai 24 Hour. Martinsson had to be cut free from his car and taken to a hospital.

A statement cited Creventic's philosophy "to offer a platform for amateurs drivers and teams to do their hobby: racing for fun."

In an open letter published on his website, Kox – who shared the Ferrari with Cressoni, Jiri Pisarik and Matteo Malucelli – questioned banning the entire team due to one driver's actions. The Dutch driver also called the organizer's statement, issued independently of the race stewards, "a direct insult."

It is implied that whilst Praha will be allowed to return to competition at Zandvoort, car owner Jiri Pisarik is reconsidering his involvement in the series.

"My teammate acknowledged that it was his fault and the stewards penalized the team with a 10-place grid penalty for the next race at Mugello," Kox wrote. "However, 10 minutes before the finish [Creventic] called the team manager to tell him that the team will not be allowed to start.

"When I spoke later in the hotel with the Clerk of the Course, he assured me that he was not in favor of this decision, as he and the stewards had already penalized the team for this incident and for him the case was closed.

"Creventic wanted to 'send a message' that this driving behavior is not acceptable. However, they did this in a way that affected a whole team, where they could have (and this is fairly common) sanctioned the specific driver.

"The owner of the car for sure sees (or has seen) it as his hobby and for sure wants to have fun during his racing weekends. They punish a small team were there is no manufacturer involvement, but with commitment for this series, now for the third full season, so a small loss of revenue for Creventic, but a big loss for all involved in the team."

Creventic could not be reached for comment.

Originally on Autosport.com