:focal(251x175.5:261x165.5):watermark(cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/UFVD77VYQZHRHBUO5OR7E7I6TY.png,0,-0,0,100)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/IJ7PR2AIYRETVNFTMOOACVOKXA.jpg "Portugal Rally: Thierry Neuville and Martin Weidegg fined 10,000 euros")
Neuville and Wydaeghe were battling for the podium in Portugal when they suffered a technical problem on Sunday morning. At the end of each special, the driver is required to sign a time card, which was not the case after the seventeenth special. A report was written accordingly, and Neuville and Wydaeghe had to explain what had happened.
In the session, the co-driver revealed that there had been problems with the car since the start of the day. Once at the checkpoint, he and Daegh take a picture of the dashboard to send to the engineer. After meeting Neuville, the pair head to the next checkpoint unaware that they no longer have their Time Cards. The co-pilot apologized for his negligence and added that he had incorrectly stated that he had handed him over at the time under pressure.
Statements about the circumstances of the accident were specifically considered by the stewards. Photographic evidence showing that the crew complied with the regulations and stopped at the checkpoint was considered a mitigating factor. Moreover, the offense committed had no effect on the vehicle’s performance.
