New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand's Scott McLaughlin has been disqualified from the opening IndyCar race of the year after finishing third.
McLaughlin and his Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden, who won the street race in St Petersburg in Florida, were both disqualified after an investigation showed they breached 'push to pass' parameters.
'Push to Pass' is a button which activates a system that delivers increased power through turbo boost for a predetermined period during the race.
The team's third driver Will Power was penalised 10 points as officials found he did not benefit from the violation, IndyCar said in a statement.
"An extensive review of data from the race on the streets of St Petersburg revealed that Team Penske manipulated the overtake system so that the No 2, 3 and 12 cars had the ability to use Push to Pass on starts and restarts," the statement said.
"According to the IndyCar rulebook, use of overtake is not available during championship races until the car reaches the alternate start-finish line," the statement added.
Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward has now been credited with the race win. Team Penske has also been fined $42,000 for each entry and will forfeit all prize money.
Scott Dixon now sits at the top of the IndyCar championship after two rounds. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The delay in announcing the penalties and updated official race results was prompted by a review of data and another look at the Team Penske cars, which took place during the recent Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Newgarden's disqualification means New Zealand driver Scott Dixon, who won the second race of the season at Long Beach, now moves to the top of the IndyCar standings after two rounds, while McLaughlin drops to the bottom.
