Kris Meeke penalized in Chile

Eighth in the general classification at the finish of the Power Stage Rally from Chile, Chris Meeke will finally finish 10th in the South American event held last weekend around Concepcion.

The pilot Toyota Gazoo Racing was given a one-minute penalty for removing the damaged windshield of his Yaris WRC before the start of SS8.

“Kris Meeke explained that after his accident in SS7 (rollover in a slow corner, Editor's note) which damaged his windshield, vision became increasingly poor, mentions decision n°5. Glass fragments also landed on the dashboard. Despite everything, Meeke wanted to continue in the next stage with the windshield, since he did not have glasses on board.

When he arrived at the control of SS8, he struggled to see anything, but did not want to continue without a windshield. While waiting in the control area, Meeke and his teammate saw that the seal around the window was starting to come loose.

The crew therefore decided to remove the windshield in the control zone for safety reasons, this being the only option to continue without putting themselves in danger. However, the stewards considered that the problem should have been resolved on the road course before arriving on the special stage, and that therefore a breach of the parc ferme regime had been committed. »

The Briton admitted not understanding this penalty, his action having been done solely for safety reasons, and did not hide his frustration.

Extremely frustrated to have been handed 1min penalty for trying to keep myself, Seb & spectators safe. We tried to keep the screen in but it started to collapse and break-up in the time control, we had no option but remove it for everyone's safety, I don't understand the penalty pic.twitter.com/X2bNEAzvLy

— krismeeke.com (@krismeeke) May 12, 2019

Kris Meeke therefore fell to 10th place, allowing Kalle Roveperä (Skoda Fabia R5) to move up to 8th, and Mads Ostberg (Citroën C3 R5) to 9th.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Rally of Chile, in issue 2216 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.