The International Automobile Federation –FIA– wrote, during the last hours, a document referring to the action of Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja in the last Monte-Carlo Rally 2021. Both were forced to leave during the day on Saturday.
The Estonians had the misfortune to puncture two wheels on their Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC during the morning loop. Given the situation (with only one spare wheel) they traveled the eighty kilometers to Gap to try to continue in the race.
This action is totally prohibited by the regulations of the FIA, which did not take long to draw up the reprimand for the Hyundai team. If they repeat the scene during any of the remaining tests, both will be penalized with a sanction rally in 2021.
The stewards announced the official abandonment of the Estonians after learning about their situation in the service park. These didn`t have the opportunity to re-engage, since the regulations prevent Super Rallye from being held if they leave on Saturday. Therefore, they could not qualify for the Power Stage points and they start the World Cup blank, just like last season.
Tänak and Järveoja were having a great rally. They finished the day on Thursday as leaders ahead of the Toyota of Rovanperä and Evans. After Friday’s five stages, they were the only rivals to keep up with Ogier and Evans.
This is a situation similar to that experienced by Nil Solans and Marc Martí in the last Canary Islands Rally 2020. The Catalans punctured two wheels and made the rim links. An act, without any doubt, very dangerous, harshly sanctioned by the FIA.
