Citroën takes a penalty in Australia
Rally Australia (September 3-6, 2009)Following post-event scrutineering, the sporting stewards of the 2009 Rally Australia received a report from the FIA Technical Delegate stating that the front anti-roll bar link on the N°1 Citroën C4 WRC did not match the car's homologation form.
After hearing representatives of Citroën Racing, who conformed that all the C4 WRCs entered for this event were fitted with the same part, the sporting stewards decided to inflict a one-minute penalty on Loeb/Elena, Sordo/Marti and Ogier/Ingrassia.
Citroën Racing Director Olivier Quesnel: "We accept the decision given that the photo on the homologation form does not match the part fitted to the car. The difference had no effect on either the performance or reliability of the car; it was simply due to an administrative error and does not stem from any desire to cheat. On behalf of the team, I would personally like to apologise to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena who scored a superb victory on the stages this weekend."
Sébastien Loeb: "I am obviously disappointed, but you've got to accept it when the regulations are applied. Instead of being just one point behind Mikko Hirvonen, I now have a five-point deficit to make up. That clearly complicates matters regarding our bid to win a sixth title, but this won't have any effect on our determination to win in Spain…"
MODIFIED FINAL OVERALL CLASSIFICATION:
1. Hirvonen/Lehtinen Ford Focus 2h53’06’’5
2. Loeb/Elena Citroën C4 +47’’5
3. Sordo/Marti Citroën C4 +1’04’’6
4. Latvala/Antilla Ford Focus + 1’52’’0
5. Ogier/Ingrassia Citroën C4 + 2’23’’3
6. Wilson/Martin Ford Focus +5’26’’3
7. H. Solberg/Menkerud Ford Focus +7’17’’8
8. Villagra/Perez Companc Ford Focus +7’39’’4
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