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Formula E Audi works driver Daniel Abt published an emotional apology on Tuesday night (May 26), and took full responsibility for allowing a professional sim racer to compete for him during the 'Race at Home Challenge' last weekend.
Audi Sport said in a statement: "Daniel Abt did not drive his car in qualifying and the race at the fifth event of the 'Race at Home Challenge' on May 23 himself, but let a professional Sim-Racer do so.
"He directly apologised for this on the following day and accepted the disqualification. For this reason, Audi Sport has decided to suspend Daniel Abt with immediate effect."
However in Abt's YouTube video the 27-year-old said Audi had severed ties with him. "We won’t be racing together in Formula E anymore, and the co-operation has ended. It is a pain which I have never felt in this way in my life", Abt said in a clip that has been viewed over 350 000 times.
The fifth virtual race is part of Formula E's 'Race at Home Challenge' series and Abt had 18-year-old pro sim driver Lorenz Hoerzing to take his place in the event, according to Techcrunch.
Hoerzing finished third in the race, however when Abt didn't take part in the post-race interview flags were raised. Abt was ordered to pay €10 000 to a charity for the incident, but his actions cost him his seat.
Watch the full video below to find out how it was planned:
