Formula E driver disqualified because of hiring a professional racing driver

During the ABB Formula E Race at Home Daniel Abt provided some discussion. The German driver was supposed to join the rest of the Formula E-grid last Saturday, but afterwards it was announced that Abt did not drive the race at all. In his place professional sim driver Lorenz Hoerzing drove the virtual E-Prix. Abt was disqualified afterwards and received a fine.

The German driver himself indicates that he didn't take racing seriously. "I didn't take it seriously enough. I'm very sorry, because I know how much work there is in this project. I know my actions feel a bit annoying, but it was never done with bad intentions. Of course I accept the disqualification", Abbot said in a personal message.

Several drivers already knew during the race that Abt was not racing at all. In the race in Berlin, Abt's car finished third, behind Oliver Rowland and Stoffel Vandoorne. The Belgian had the most suspicions that Abt was not driving. During qualifying he already questioned the participation of the German. The organization finally found out about the offence by comparing IP-addresses.

"I don't believe Daniel. Definitely someone else is driving for him". When the Belgian abbot tried to call, he got no one on the line. In the end, on top of his disqualification, Abt also received a 'fine' of 10,000 euros, which he has to donate to charity.