Mikkelsen fined for stage two corner cut

VW Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen has been fined 5,000 Euros by the LOTOS 71st Rally Poland stewards after he cut a left-hand corner during Thursday’s second stage.

Drivers are allowed to cut corners on rallies in a bid to save time, but Mikkelsen’s cut was adjudged to have been excessive. All four wheels of his VW Polo R WRC left the prescribed stage route as he crossed an adjacent field.

Mikkelsen was summoned before the Rally Poland stewards late on Friday night to explain his actions. He was joined by VW team principal Jost Capito and team manager, Sven Smeets.

After being shown a video of the incident, Mikkelsen admitted that his line through the corner had been inappropriate and he accepted the fine. He and VW Motorsport will not appeal the decision.

The rally stewards also told Mikkelsen that he will be excluded from the Rally Poland results if he repeats his actions at any point during the remainder of 2014.