Bottle-O driver David Reynolds has been fined $25,000 following comments made during a press conference after the third V8 practice session for the Bathurst 1000.
The comments were made by Reynolds when referring to the all-female PRA team.
Renee Gracie and Simona de Silvestro have teamed up to race in a Ford Falcon FG X, prepared by powerhouse team Prodrive Racing Australia, for this year’s Great Race.
V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton issued a statement on Thursday evening strongly condemning the comments made by Reynolds.
"Reynolds' comments were disgraceful and completely unacceptable in our sport and he has been fined $25,000," Warburton said.
"Women are an integral part of our sport, whether they are fans, drivers or team members. And V8 Supercars will continue to support and promote female participation at all levels of our sport."
Reynolds issued an apology about the statement saying he understood it caused offense.
"While it was intended to be humorous, I understand it has caused offence," he said. “I unreservedly apologise for a comment I made in a press conference earlier today in relation to my female team-mates."
“As I stated in the press conference I genuinely hope they perform well as they are both highly-talented as they showed today with their pace.
“We all get on very well and I’ve spent a lot of time with them this week helping them prepare for this race. People know I am a little left-of-centre with my humour but I understand today I took it too far.
“I have personally apologised to Renee and Simona and I fully accept the penalty handed down by V8 Supercars and any subsequent team sanctions.”
