Oliver Solberg’s protest regarding a critical decision in Rally Chile concerning competitor Yohan Rossel’s notional time will be reevaluated by stewards after new evidence came to light. Initially dismissed, the stewards are now set to review the situation due to the significance of the newly available video and GPS data, which could influence the WRC2 championship standings significantly.
In a significant development within the World Rally Championship (WRC2), Oliver Solberg’s previously dismissed protest following Rally Chile will be re-evaluated by the stewards. The request for a review stems from new evidence presented by FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley, regarding the notional time awarded to Solberg’s competitor, Yohan Rossel, who emerged victorious in the event. Solberg contested the notional time granted to Rossel after the latter allegedly benefitted from a 40-second adjustment to his stage time, which resulted from a decision that Solberg had obstructed Rossel during stage 11. During the event, Solberg encountered a puncture, necessitating a wheel change that cost him over one and a half minutes. His return to the stage ahead of Rossel prompted the protest, as Rossel believed he had been impeded due to the conditions at the time, including poor visibility from thick fog. Initially, the stewards deemed Solberg’s protest inadmissible, citing the FIA International Sporting Code that restricts such re-evaluations. However, recent acknowledgments from the stewards indicated the emergence of significant new evidence, including video footage and GPS tracking information that were not available to the stewards during their initial ruling. The stewards’ report implied that had this data been available at the time, it may have influenced their original decision. With this newfound information, the case will be reviewed at a forthcoming date, providing another critical twist in the ongoing competition for the WRC2 title, where Solberg currently leads Rossel by twelve points. As the season progresses, both Rossel and Sami Pajari, who is also in contention, will finalize their standings in the upcoming rounds at the Central European Rally and Rally Japan, respectively.
The World Rally Championship (WRC2) is a highly competitive motorsport series where the outcome of rallies can significantly affect championship standings. The incident at Rally Chile involved a contentious decision that could ultimately influence the title race, especially given the close points tally among the top competitors. Solberg’s grievance with the stewards’ ruling arose from what he claims was unjust treatment during a critical stage of the rally, leading to him missing an opportunity for a vital victory that could have secured him the championship.
In conclusion, the re-examination of Oliver Solberg’s protest by Rally Chile stewards signifies a pivotal moment in the WRC2 title race. The introduction of new evidence may alter previous rulings and impact the championship outcome, heightening the stakes for all competitors involved. As the season draws to a close, the implications of this decision could be momentous in determining the eventual titleholder.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
