Oliver Solberg’s petition for a review of his dismissed protest at Rally Chile has been accepted, with new evidence prompting a reconsideration of the time adjustments favoring rival Yohan Rossel. The stewards will examine this new information to assess its impact on the WRC2 title race, where Solberg currently leads the standings over Rossel.
The protests regarding Oliver Solberg’s performance in the WRC2 category at Rally Chile have taken a new turn as the stewards have agreed to review his previously dismissed protest. This decision follows the emergence of new evidence that could significantly impact the title race in the WRC2 championship. FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley spearheaded the request for a renewed examination of the events surrounding the notional time awarded to Solberg’s competitor, Yohan Rossel, the winner of the Rally Chile in the WRC2 class. Solberg had initially filed a protest concerning the allowance of a notional time to Rossel, which proved crucial in his ascent from third position to ultimately take the lead in the WRC2 category. This situation unfolded after Solberg experienced a puncture during stage 11, which delayed him by over a minute, allowing Rossel to challenge him under adverse conditions compounded by thick fog. Initially, the stewards ruled Solberg’s protest inadmissible, stating that the existing FIA International Sporting Code prohibited re-examination of decisions through protests; however, the latest report highlights the presence of “significant and relevant new elements” that were unavailable during the original decision-making process. Consequently, the stewards have expressed their desire to review the situation with updated evidence that includes video footage and GPS tracking data. Further assessment will take place at a date yet to be determined. The report emphasized the potential impact of these new insights on the original assessment, particularly given that Solberg is currently leading the championship standings by a slender margin over Rossel. With Solberg having completed all his points-scoring events, the final outcome of the championship remains uncertain, contingent on the performances of Rossel and other competitors in their subsequent rounds.
The WRC2 championship is a vital aspect of the World Rally Championship, showcasing emerging talent in rally racing. Controversies regarding race results can significantly influence the standings, especially when new evidence emerges post-competition. This particular incident involving Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel not only highlights the complexity of rally regulations but also underscores the importance of reviewing decisions with full disclosure of all available data.
In summary, Oliver Solberg’s protest regarding the WRC2 results at Rally Chile has reopened discussions among the stewards due to the introduction of new evidence. The implications of this review may heavily influence the WRC2 championship outcomes as competitors approach the final rounds of the season. Solberg maintains a lead over Rossel, but the results of the re-evaluation could prove pivotal in determining the champion.
Original Source: www.autosport.com
