François Delecour has become the first driver to be penalized this World Rally Championship season, earning a €1500 fine for his service car being washed in the service park on Tuesday.
Delecour is contesting his 23rd Monte Carlo Rally this weekend – initially hoping to do so in an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 but instead competing in WRC2 with one of Toksport’s brand-new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2s.
However his week has got off to a strange start as he was found to have breached Article 12.12.3 of the Monte Carlo Rally’s regulations, in relation to car washing.
A stewards’ hearing was held on Wednesday afternoon with Toksport team manager Jacek Wyrzykowski, who explained that a member of the team had been asked to wash service car A37, belonging to Delecour, but “due to a misunderstanding” it was washed in the service park and not a regular car wash.
Article 12.12.3 of the rally’s regulations stipulate that car washing and drainage of waste water is not permitted in the service park, which is based in Monaco’s harbor, in the same location as the Formula 1 grand prix’s paddock.
Wyrzykowski apologized for the team’s lapse.
