Formula 2 boss Bruno Michel says he "regrets" the decision taken by the stewards to revise Sean Gelael's penalty ahead of Saturday's Feature race.
PREMA's Gelael made contact with Carlin's Louis Deletraz during practice on Friday at the Silverstone circuit and was handed a reprimand for the incident.
However, the stewards chose to revisit their decision and just hours before the race, amended it to a grid penalty of three positions, which would see him start at the very back.
In protest, Gelael withdrew from the race weekend altogether, meaning just 19 cars started the race for the first time in F2's history.
Michel said he understood Gelael's frustration and regretted the stewards' decision.
"For the first time in the history of Formula 2, the starting grid was only made up of 19 cars following the decision of Sean Gelael to withdraw from the event on Saturday.
"It’s never the promoter’s place to give an opinion on the Steward’s decisions. However, I can only regret the way Sean’s penalty was revised at the last minute just ahead of the Feature Race.
"I can fully understand Sean’s frustration and reaction. I can only hope that he will return to the grid to finish the season as he and his family have been an important part of this category for the past four years."
