Paul Jeffrey
Premium
American F1 hopeful Santino Ferrucci has been dropped by the Trident F2 team following the two-event ban handed out at the latest Silverstone F2 race last week.
Ferrucci found himself under the wrath of the stewards for a number of disappointing and unsportsmanlike actions at Silverstone last time out, eventually winding up with a considerable dent of 66,000 euros in his bank account and a two event, four race ban from Formula Two for his troubles, something the American continues to feel the pain of now that his current Formula Two team, Trident, confirm legal action has been taken to tear up the contract between team and driver this season.
Initially coming under the microscope for a number of unsavoury moves during the last race weekend, Ferrucci would finally crack at the conclusion of the F2 Sprint race, making deliberate contact with his Trident team "mate" Arjun Maini on the slowing down lap, compounding his position by then being spotted driving between the F1 and F2 paddock with a mobile phone in his hand before then failing to attend the subsequent official enquiry at the circuit, later citing an unspecified family matter that required a rapid departure from the British venue.
With Ferrucci seemingly remorseful following his actions and ban by the FIA, going on to apologise for his behaviour during the weekend, it seems like Trident are in no mood to forgive and forget, the team confirming legal action has been instigated by the squad as they look to remove the American from the team and recoup monies allegedly owed to them from unpaid sponsorship, another nail in the coffin of the 20-year-old driver and his chances of remaining with the squad following the conclusion of his ban from the upcoming Spa and Hungaroring events.
The statement from Trident certainly pulled no punches about how they now feel towards Ferrucci:
"Trident Motorsport informs to have communicated to Santino Ferrucci and to its guarantor, a company represented by Mr. Michael Ferrucci, the termination of the contract with the Team.
"This decision was motivated by the events - which are now of public domain - occurred at Silverstone, as well as by the serious breach of driver's payment obligations.
"Since the beginning of the championship, the driver justified its payment default with alleged failure by his sponsors to fulfil their obligations.
"It seems weird that, despite such kind of issues, Santino Ferrucci had the resources needed to enter the Detroit IndyCar race from June 1-3 while, at the same time, he was not honoring his agreement with Trident Motorsport.
"Trident gave mandate to its lawyers in order to activate all the procedures needed to fully recover its credits towards the driver."
With the driver also contracted to the Haas Formula One team for this year, it remains to be seen how the disgrace of Silverstone and subsequent sacking from Trident will play out with the relatively young Grand Prix squad... watch this space...
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Do you think Trident are right in letting Ferrucci go? Can the American redeem himself and still make it to Formula One, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below!
Do you think Trident are right in letting Ferrucci go? Can the American redeem himself and still make it to Formula One, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below!
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and the incident was just a last drop 
