The event stewards imposed a €1,500 fine on Ogier, as he had removed his driving gloves and unfastened the chin strap of his helmet too early during Sunday morning’s special stage.
“The driver of Car No. 17 unfastened his seat belts, removed his gloves and opened the chin strap of his helmet between the Flying Finish and Stop control of SS 13 San Giacomo – Plebi 1, ” the decision reads.
Ogier admitted to the stewards of Rally Sardinia that he had acted incorrectly. The French star escaped with only a fine, and no more severe conditional sanction was imposed.
“The Stewards examined video evidence, which clearly showed that the driver of Car No. 17, after having passed the flying finish of SS 13 and before reaching the Stop control of the special stage, first loosened his seatbelts then, after approx. 5 seconds, unfastened them completely. He then took off his gloves and opened the chin strap of his helmet before wearing the gloves again, ” said on the decision.
“The driver admitted having done the above, but explained that he did not do it intentionally. It was out of a reflex, after having reached the finish and while slowing down on the way to the Stop control. He added that he is well aware of the rules on safety equipment and apologised for his lapse.”
Ogier won the event by 7.9 seconds ahead of Hyundai’s Ott Tänak. Ogier is the only driver with five Rally Sardinia victories to his name. Previously, he had shared the victory record with another French legend, Sébastien Loeb.
The WRC season continues at the end of June with the next round in Greece.
