The Toyota team received a personal apology from Vincent Capillaire. The Algarve Pro Racing driver suddenly became famous when it transpired he might have caused the Japanese team the win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The situation took place at the end of the pitlane where Kamui Kobayashi was waiting to get back to the track. The Toyota #7 driver and his teammates Mike Conway and Stephane Sarrazin were leading the race at that moment. Vincent Capillaire wanted to show his support but Kobayashi took him for a marshal. The Japanese driver took off but had to stop almost immediately when the team called him. Later that led to overheating of the clutch.
Capillaire explained his action on Facebook after the race.
“Saturday evening, during the race, I was waiting for my relay, helmet on the head at my box. I wanted to show my encouragement to the leader car, stopped at red light a few meters in front of my box”, he wrote.
“It was a spontaneous encouragement mark as it happens between pilots.”
“I was fined by Stewards for this gesture and I admit it was inopportune. I regret that.”
The Toyota team received a personal apology from Vincent Capillaire
Later he sent an apology to Toyota. The team issued the following statement.
“Toyota can confirm it has received an apology from Vincent Capillaire regarding his actions during the Le Mans 24 Hours. We have fully accepted his apology and acknowledge that his sporting gesture was never intended to cause any negative consequences for our #7 car. We remain on good terms with Vincent and we consider the matter is now closed.”
That’s not a marshal. That’s a driver. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that was Algarve Pro Racing’s Vincent Capillaire. #LeMans24?? pic.twitter.com/ozBGMQNONV
— The Caution Clock ⚠️ (@CautionClock20) June 18, 2017
