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Former F1 hopeful fails drug test

Czech racing driver Tomas Enge has been suspended for failing a dope test, a decade after a similar result scuppered his hopes of competing in Formula 1.


Enge, who drives a Lamborghini in the FIA GT1 sportscar world championship, said on his Facebook page that he was "in shock" after positive test results at a race in Spain in May.


He explained that he had long-term health problems and recently asked the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) for an exemption to allow him to take certain medicines.


REQUEST TO USE DRUGS


Enge said: "This is a shock, as I would never knowingly take any banned substance. I have suffered from long-term health problems which is why I recently asked the FIA for an exemption to use drugs that are on the list of prohibited substances.

"Now I need to consult with expert doctors as to how this situation has occurred," he said.


Enge said: "Now I will consult with experts as to how this situation could occur."


The FIA, a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, confirmed he had been suspended but could not comment on details of the case.


Enge was stripped of the F3000 title, at the time the feeder series for F1, in 2002 after testing positive for cannabis.


He admitted that the 2002 cannabis charge had a "significant effect" on his career.

"That's why ever since I have been almost paranoid," Enge explained.


The former McLaren and Jordan test driver was the first Czech to race in F1 after starting three Grands Prix with the now-defunct Prost team in 2001 as a stand-in for injured Luciano Burti.


No F1 driver has ever failed a dope test.

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