by ChrisB » 02 Apr 2012 02:29
Several points to that, most of them my personal opinion.
But first of all: Note that the championship points displayed on our web site are unchanged as of before the exclusion. Before I change everything again I wait what is going with the appeal.
I believe Citroen could have a chance with the appeal. Or in a way I hope so. If someone cheats they should be disqualified, no question about that. But in a way I am sick of getting events spoiled by disqualifications for totally petty things! The turbo charger was an FIA custom part from a custom supplier, it is surely not Citroen's fault when a part the FIA forces on them by regulation is not legal. The clutch, if anything they had a disadvantage, and if you look how the event unfolded, there is no way this would have changed the results at all.
On the other hand I must say, if the clutch bellhousing is not according to homologation and if Matton admits it is a whole batch of supplier parts that have this difference and still are fitted to the car, then clearly this is Citroen's fault as someone in Citroen Sport quality control was fast asleep.
Cumulated I agree however, that the penalty is way too steep. I find it leaves a bitter taste for everyone to hand the highest penalty for such petty little things. Fine them or something, but throwing someone out completely for the colour of a screw just leaves an unnecessary bad feel for media, public, everyone who has followed the event, hence it can't even be in the interest of the sport.
lastly Mads Ostberg. It is nice and overdue to see a different face win a round. But looking how things developed this is quite likely going to be the only win Mads can get. Good if he can prove me wrong, and I have absolutely no problem with Ostberg. I just can't picture him being proud when in a few years time he looks back at his career and he is a one off WRC winner only because he got it awarded on the green table. I hope for Mads Mikko keeps this win and Mads will win another event in a proper manner instead.