The head of Australian motorsport's governing body has demanded an official apology from Supercars star Jamie Whincup for his post-race comments towards officials in New Zealand.
Whincup questioned the professionalism of race officials following Sunday's controversial race at Pukekohe Park which was marred by safety car chaos early in the 70-lap event.
The seven-time series champion passed the safety car without permission after being incorrectly identified as the race leader, receiving a drive-through penalty before finishing a distant 16th.
After the race Whincup said officials' brains were "not with it" and they were "cruising back, having a few glasses of red each night" in a TV interview - comments he's since expressed regret for making.
That public regret may not yet prevent Whincup facing sanctions with Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) chief executive Eugene Arocca labelling the comments "disgraceful" and "offensive".
"He's accused them of cruising, of not having their brains in gear, and getting on the piss," Arocca told Motorsport.com on Thursday.
"I'm struggling to find a more offensive comment about an official at a high-level sport ever, other than cheating. This is just one step down.
"We're pretty upset about it.
To be brutally blunt, there are lawyers who were stewards at that event, and If you liked this article and also you would like to receive more info about click for source i implore you to visit the web-site. they would be within their rights to consider separate legal action. Because they've been defamed."
Arocca said despite the criticism, stewards had made the right decisions regarding the use of the safety car and Whincup's attack was "about as bad as I've heard about an official" in his 20-plus years in elite sports.
A letter sent from CAMS to Whincup accuses the Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver of breaking National Competition Rules.
Possible sanctions Whincup is facing range from race bans and monetary fines to the imposition of "community service" similar to that imposed on Formula One driver Max Verstappen following an incident with France's Estaban Ocon in Brazil last year.
