The G-Drive Racing ORECA-Gibson that clinched pole position for the Nurburgring round of the World Endurance Championship has been demoted to the back of the prototype grid, following a scrutineering decision.
Referring to article 3.5.6 d of the LMP2 technical regulations, the car's front skid block deflected more than the maximum 5mm allowance.
Ben Hanley and Pierre Thiriet had put the #26 car on pole position with an average time of 1:45.001s, but the infringement means all their laps have been deleted.
That promotes the championship-leading #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA-Gibson of Oliver Jarvis, Thomas Laurent and Ho-Pin Tung to the front spot on the class grid.
The pair of Vaillante Rebellion ORECAs move up to second and third, whilst the #35 Signatech Alpine slots into fourth place.
The stewards' decision marks another major blow for the G-Drive Racing team, which must observe a three-minute stop and hold penalty during the race in reparation for a crash caused by Roman Rusinov at last month's 24 Hours of Le Mans.