Franck Montagny’s absence from the Andretti Formula E team car for the Putrajaya ePrix was at the time explained as “health reasons,” but French sports paper L’Equipe has revealed that the Frenchman was missing because he tested positive for cocaine.
Per the report the driver has now been suspended, and under FIA rules it could see Montagny suspended for two years as a first time offender.
Following the Putrajaya ePrix, he was found to have tested positive and Montagny has decided he will not challenge the ruling.
“Auto sport is perhaps over for me,” he said to L’Equipe. “At the end of the race, I see the guy at control who signals me. There in my head, I understood immediately. I knew it was over. I took the plane. Then I called my parents to tell them. I was ashamed. I made a mistake, I’m guilty.”
He will now await the FIA ruling on his future, but it looks like Montangy will not return to Formula E for at least the rest of the season.
It is expected that Matthew Brabham will fill the vacated seat, as he did in the last round, while he could be partnered by Jean-Éric Vergne for the second round in succession.
