JOEY Mawson has had his Motorsport Australia licence provisionally suspended in relation to the use of a “general fitness supplement”.
The news comes merely an hour after it was announced that the Supercars co-drive he’d been linked to has instead been filled by Jonathon Webb.
A statement released today by Team 88 on behalf of Mawson explained: “A routine test at the Phillip Island round of the series has raised questions concerning a general fitness supplement the Sydneysider utilised for the first time, for a short period, for his general running/gym fitness training over the extended break between the opening event in February and Phillip Island in May.
“Under the relevant regulations, Mawson has been provisionally suspended until the situation is clarified by Sports Integrity Australia and Motorsport Australia.
“Joey was shattered when officials advised him of the initial test outcome and is co-operating fully with the investigation.”
Mawson had been on track for a third straight Gold Star, having this year switched to driving a Team BRM/Team 88 combined effort.
He will now miss next week’s Sydney Motorsport Park round, with a replacement driver to be named.
“Everyone who knows Joey is as stunned as he is,” said Team 88 owner Albert Callegher.
“He’s one of the sport’s good guys and there’s no way he would ever knowingly be involved in anything of that kind.
“It’s one of those ‘silly mistake’ things that you read about occasionally, certainly with no relevance or benefit to his driving a race car. We hope the various authorities involved in the process do approach it in that light.
“Added to the stress of Supercars’ ongoing refusal to accept his Superlicence status and thus his inability to date to accept an offered co-drive this year, it’s a frustrating and difficult time for Joey. We do ask that his privacy be respected while this is resolved.
“The team is fully behind and supportive of Joey and we look forward to him getting back to the track and into the car as soon as possible.”
Mawson’s absence from Sydney is set to blow the 2023 S5000 title race wide open.
As it stands, he holds a 77-point championship lead over Cooper Webster.
Three rounds remain this season: Sydney, The Bend in August, and Adelaide in November.
