Sebastien Ogier was fined at the end of the World Rally Championship in Catalonia.
Benjamin Veillas and Sebastien Ogier won the Catalan asphalt race. PDO
Toyota driver Sebastien Ogier took his first win of the season in the Spanish race that ended on Sunday. The Frenchman, who is only driving part of this season’s races, took the joy out of his first place after the race ended.
But the celebration behind the wheel of the Toyota before the award ceremony organized on the beach in Salou took its toll on the French star’s purse. Ogier was spinning “doughnuts” before the prize ramp, for which he received a fine of 1,500 euros.
The jury found that so-called show driving was not allowed in that area. Toyota’s Sports Director Kaj Lindström had to go through the matter with a jury.
– Lindström apologized that the driver could not make it to the meeting, but he received an explanation from the driver over the phone. According to the sports director, the driver saw one car speeding up to the awarding area, which is why the driver thought that donuts were allowed in the area. The director of sports regretted what happened, the jury’s decision says.
Despite the fine, Ogier was in a class of his own in the Catalan asphalt race. Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Toyota Kalle Rovanperä tried to challenge the eight-time world champion, but Ogier eventually cleared the number one position with a 16.4 second difference to Neuville. This season’s world champion Rovanperä finished third in the race.
Ogier crowned his career by winning the Power Stage special stage that ended the race.
– I felt from the first day that we have a chance to win. We didn’t have the best starting position in seventh, but we were able to set good times. From then on I knew there was enough speed, but we had to make all the pieces fall into place and stay out of trouble, Ogier said.
Ogier’s victory and Rovanperä’s third-place finish also sealed this season’s brand championship for Toyota.
– It’s a great thing for the whole team. Now I can be even more relaxed when we go to the important rally in Japan, said Ogier.
The season-ending World Rally Championship in Japan will be held on the 10th-13th. November.