Veiby suspended six months for non-compliance with Covid-19 protocol

This is an unprecedented sanction in motorsport at the global level. Norwegian Ole Christian Veiby was suspended for six months, from May 23 to November 22, 2021, for not having respected the health protocol following a positive test for coronavirus.

The representative Hyundai Motorsport in WRC2 violated an article of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations on the sidelines of the Rally of Portugal in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

“He did not declare having been in contact in the week preceding the Portugal rally,” indicates a press release from the FIA ​​commissioners released on Sunday May 23. “In addition, Mr Veiby drove from Portugal to Spain despite reporting a positive Covid-19 result on Thursday May 20, which is a failure to comply with Portuguese rules. »

Indeed, the country requires each person infected with the coronavirus to observe a 10-day quarantine in Portugal, which the 24-year-old driver did not do by taking his car following his positive test.

Ole Christian Veiby can therefore no longer compete in WRC2 for the remainder of the 2021 season because the final meeting, in Japan, is scheduled for November 11 to 14. The fourth in the previous WRC2 campaign does not understand this judgment.

Statement following today's stewards decision at Rally de Portugal. pic.twitter.com/Q4YLnxaEKg

— Ole Christian Veiby (@OCVeiby) May 23, 2021

“I understand that this is a serious situation, but I acted on the information given and in good faith.”, he assures on his social networks.

“I tested negative three times over a five-day period before the positive test. I have never hidden the fact that I spent time with a person during the Targa Florio (Italy), who later tested positive. When my positive test result came back, I immediately isolated myself at the hotel.

Back at the hotel, we received a phone call froma representative of the organization's Covid team, explaining to us that we could complete the isolation at home, if we took the car. That's why I left for the family home in Spain, alone in a car, to avoid contact with other people.

I can only apologize for this situation and I am truly sorry for the team. I sincerely hope I have not exposed anyone else to the virus. »

His boss, Andrea Adamo, sides with the FIA ​​and will already look into his replacement. “We fully respect and support the decisions and reprimands made by the commissioners in this matter, as we take these protocols very seriously. We will communicate our WRC2 team composition in due course. »

Find in issue 2313 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Thursday on newsstands, the analysis of the WRC in Portugal by our special correspondent.