WRC2 championship leader Kajetan Kajetanowicz has been reprimanded and handed a suspended fine of €3000 ($3168) for failing to attend the Safari Rally Kenya post-event press conference.
Kajetanowicz dominated the WRC2 class on his first visit to the Safari, beating American Sean Johnston by 19 minutes in his Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, claiming ninth overall in the rally too.
Due to his class victory, Kajetanowicz is mandated to attend the pre-event press conference, hosted by the FIA, and be available for up to one hour for media duties after the start of the press conference.
But the three-time European Rally champion didn’t show up to the media event, breaching Article 38.2 of the WRC’s sporting regulations.
The stewards document read: “The driver stated that he had to travel to the airport to catch a flight later this evening.
“The driver was apologetic and stated that he understands these media obligations are not only for himself as a professional priority driver but more importantly for his team, sponsors, organizers, the WRC, the FIA and the sport.
“The driver promised the stewards that he will commit to future media commitments and obligations.
“The stewards, having reviewed the driver’s record, find that he has been cooperative in the past and see that this is the driver’s first recorded unexcused absence of a pre-scheduled press conference.
“The stewards conclude that a suspended fine is justified.”
