Coulthard, Wood issued warnings over yellow flag breach

Fabian Coulthard and Dale Wood have been issued warnings following Practice 5 at the Repco Bathurst 1000, after being found in breach of yellow flag rules.

Coulthard and Wood both ran into trouble during a Full Course Yellow test at the commencement of Practice 5.

According to dual stewards reports, the two co-drivers were found to have continued at "full throttle" despite yellow flag conditions.

Broadcast vision at the start of the session showed Coulthard braking heavily to avoid hitting Walkinshaw Andretti United teammate Lee Holdsworth, with Wood taking to the grass.

Before both practice sessions on Saturday, teams were notified of a rule amendment seconds to allow for potential telemetry lag, with drivers given 25 seconds after the commencement of a FCY or SC deployment to activate their speed limiters.

According to both stewards reports, Tickford Racing co-driver Tyler Everingham activated his speed limiter exiting Forrest's Elbow, with Holdsworth doing the same and slotting in behind accordingly.

However, Coulthard and Wood were found to have "passed through the flag post at Turn 18 some time after the FCY boards and single yellow flag were displayed" and continued at 100 percent throttle with "significant closing speed" on cars ahead.

Coulthard had to brake to avoid Holdsworth, with Wood doing the same behind Coulthard.

Given it was a test in practice, Coulthard and Wood were both warned, but officials reiterated that drivers must "noticeably reduce speed" once yellow flags are displayed.

The reasons in both reports conclude: "This incident should stand as a reminder to all Drivers that the commencement of a FCY or SC deployment requires them to noticeably reduce speed.

"Drivers should be aware that a Car ahead may at any point in the 25 second window elect to have activated their limiter and reduced speed to 80kph and, unless the following Cars react accordingly by reducing to a corresponding speed, a collision may occur.

"Given that the incident occurred during a test and in a Practice session, in this instance the Stewards determined to impose a Warning on the Driver of Car 26. However, this should not be seen as a precedent Penalty for similar infringements in a Race."

Coulthard and Wood ended up fifth and 22nd in the session, which was topped by Triple Eight wildcard Cooper Murray.