Max Verstappen protest spreads as WRC legend targets FIA after €30,000 fine
Max Verstappen holding an FIA-branded microphone with an inset of Sebastien Ogier
Verstappen was sanctioned for swearing in an FIA press conference on the eve of last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, with F1’s governing body ordering him to “undertake some work of public interest.”
The Red Bull driver’s actions were supported by Verstappen’s competitors, including seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who urged his rival to ignore the FIA’s punishment.
With hanging dust an issue on gravel-based rally events, Ogier complained about the short intervals between cars in Greece after his visibility on the opening stage was compromised.
“It is annoying to see that the sport never learns,” Ogier said at the end of the stage.
Content continues below
Ad
“We ask. We know that we are going to have dust. There is hanging dust. They say no. What do you have in your head? Nothing. It’s crazy.
As a result, Ogier was hit with a €30,000 suspended fine with the Toyota driver taking a stand against the FIA in Chile as the WRC season resumed on Friday.
Ogier kept his answers to television crews to a minimum at the end of each stage, before accusing the FIA of forcing drivers “to shut our mouths” at the midday service on Friday.
Ogier told the WRC’s live coverage of Rally Chile: “You realise that I didn’t really want to talk today, we’ve been told that we shouldn’t at the moment.
Content continues below
Ad
“It is not a fantastic reaction to do what I do and it is not personal against [the media] and for the fans I am sorry about it but we have very little tools we can use.
“Today I don’t feel like I want to talk and I am sorry for all the people that deserve better than that.
“But we have been told by the top of the FIA to shut our mouths, so it is a bit sad.”
In an apparent reference to Verstappen’s punishment in Singapore, Ogier added: “It is not only in rally at the moment, but let’s see what the future brings.”
Ogier’s stance was backed by 2019 WRC champion Ott Tanak, who admitted that “it is really difficult to know how to act” in what are “strange times” for motor racing.
Tanak caught the attention at the end of the shakedown stage on Thursday in Chile, where he told television crews: “Let’s see how
the rally will be.
Content continues below
Leave a Reply