Hyundai : An obvious communication error

Spanish duo Dani Sordo and Marc Martí finished in third overall after the 21 stages of Rally Mexico – round three of the FIA World Rally Championship – this weekend. However, the Hyundai Motorsport crew was given a two-minute penalty after using 29 tyres - one in excess to the number permitted by Art. 7.2 of the Supplementary Regulations of the rally. This penalty demotes Sordo to fourth overall in the overall classification of Rally Mexico.

Team Manager Alain Penasse said: “Unfortunately Dani and Marc were penalised of two minutes after the finish of Rally Mexico today and consequently dropped to fourth in the overall classification. Due to an obvious communication error, three new tyres and two used ones – instead of three used and two new – were fitted to the New Generation i20 WRC #4 at the Tyre Fitting Zone after SS20 this morning. This means one tyre in excess was used compared to the number allowed by the regulations. We will now go back to Alzenau and investigate the issue further. For sure, this doesn’t take away the performance of both the crew and the team throughout this challenging rally.”