Solberg penalty - No Subaru appeal but an apology5 Jun, 20:13
The Subaru team issued an apology to it's World Champion this evening following the award of a 30 second penalty to him earlier in the day.
"In response to the news that rally leader Petter Solberg had been given a 30 second penalty because his Subaru Impreza WRC had no rear mud flaps when leaving service this afternoon, Team Principal David Lapworth commented:
"On behalf of our team I would like to apologise to World Champion Petter Solberg that a minor technical infringement has resulted in a halving of his rally lead. An oversight in not refitting the mudflaps provided no competitive advantage whatsoever and occurred when replacing the damaged rear bumper of his car.
We hope that the penalty will have no bearing on the result of this rally"
Statement ends
It is noteworthy that there is apparently no prescribed penalty for this (and a number of other) offences. Theoretically it would have been possible for the Stewards to have excluded a car for this offence.
Whether or not the penalty affects the outcome - and it is difficult to believe that Solberg will not be under greater pressure and his pursuers greatly encouraged by this penalty - it would suggest that this, and a number of other regulations should be reviewed to take account of the pressure, close competition and professionalism of the sport today.
ja MM lõpus ikka vajutas pisut vist