IMSA: Fisichella on probation for VIR behavior

Risi Competizione driver Giancarlo Fisichella has been "placed on probation for the next two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events for his post-race on-track conduct in the Aug. 28 race at VIRginia International Raceway," the series announced Thursday morning.

The Italian's on-track clash with Porsche North America's Earl Bamber, who hit and spun Fisichella's Ferrari 488 on the final lap of the VIR event, took the Risi team out of third place. A frustrated Fisichella struck the side of the Porsche's after the race was over in retaliation.

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"It was a really disappointing race," Fisichella said at the time. "Once again we were for sure in the podium, like last race, and again somebody shoved us on the last lap. I think it was questionable call to do a green [flag] on the last lap. We were third and ten seconds ahead of Bamber (driver of the No. 912 Porsche) at the safety car. It's very unfair; it's not good that kind of racing. It's very unfair and really disappointing."

Per the series, Fisichella was "determined to have violated Rule 48.4 (unjustifiable risk) of the 2016 IMSA Sporting Regulations & Series Supplementary Regulations for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship."

The duration of his probation coincides with the final two IMSA races of the year at Circuit of the Americas – site of this weekend's event– and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta Sept. 28-Oct. 1.