Monte Carlo is in the book's........ or is it?
Sunday, 20 January 2002
Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb and navigator Daniel Elena sprayed the victory champagne on the opening round of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship, the Rallye Monte Carlo. But their celebrations could be short-lived, since they will depend on the result of Citroen's appeal against a two-minute penalty for changing tyres in the wrong service area. Depending on the result of the FIA Court of Appeal, victory - and the resulting ten points in the drivers' world championship - could yet be handed to Subaru driver Tommi Mäkinen, who finished second on the timesheets.
Loeb's penalty - incurred at yesterday's final 12-minute service - overshadowed today's action, which took place in clear but cold conditions. Mäkinen backed off by early afternoon, believing that the penalty will stand and that he will thus be promoted to first place. Behind the leading pair, Carlos Sainz finished third for Ford, while his team-mate Colin McRae inched ahead of Peugeot driver Marcus Grönholm to claim fourth.
The way the FIA works and using the past as a president it looks like Tommi and Subaru will be getting the first place point for Monte Carlo. But time will tell. The FIA does not play the favorites game or do anyone any favors…. They just don’t f**k around so to speak. The rules are clear and the 2-minute penalty will most likely stick.
So here is a run down:
STAGE WINNERS:
Solberg (SS3, SS6, SS12, SS14, SS15)
Loeb (SS4, SS5, SS7, SS10, SS13)
Makinen (SS8, SS9, SS11)
Sainz (SS1)
SS2 was cancelled due to spectator congestion
....and after Round One: (this could change)
FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers:
Loeb (F) 10, Makinen (FIN) 6, Sainz (E) 4, C. McRae (GB) 3, Gronholm (FIN) 2, Solberg (N) 1.
FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers:
Subaru 12, Ford 10, Peugeot 4.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://wrcss@hotmail.com>Sean R.</A>
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