Volkswagen Motorsport II driver Andreas Mikkelsen has been fined after he deliberately cut a corner on Thursday in SS2 of Rally Poland in a bid to gain time. He has also been warned that he will be excluded from the rally concerned shoul♐d he repeat the offence again during the 2014 WRC season.

The Norwegian, who is currently battling for the lead of the event with Sebastien Ogier, finished the test - the 17.24 km run through Kruklanki 1 - with the second best time, 0.8 seconds off Juho Hanninen and 0.9 seconds up on Og🗹ier in third.

In a statement issued by theꦡ stewards, Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Floene said that the action had been planned.

Volkswagen has confirm▨ed it will not appeal the ruling.

The full💜 statement issued by the stewards l🌠ate last night read:

The Stewards having been made aware of a situation occurring durin𒐪g the running of SS2 (Kruklanki 1) concerning Competitor No 9 Volkswagen Motorsport II, driver Andreas Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Floene, summoned the crew and team representative to appear before them.

The crew were accompanied by Jost Cap🔥ito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, and Sven Smeets, Team Manager.

The Stewards stated that the crew deliberately departed the road of the special stage and crossed an adjacent field in an attempt to reduce the stage time.

The Stewards showed a video of the occasion to the c🐽rew and the team representatives. The crew acknowledged that this o꧋ccurred and that they had planned this action. They also stated that they accepted it was inappropriate behaviour.

The Stewards after deliberation...

DECIDE

1 To apply a penalty of exclusion from the rally concerned should this behaviour be repeated du💦ring the remainder of the 2014 W🦹RC.

2. To apply an immediate fine of 5000 Euros.

The Stewards emphasised the severity of this behaviour and ꦺthe potential risks it introduced.

The Competitor is reminded𝐆 of its right to appeal.

Morrie Chandler
(Chairman Stewards)
Timo Rautiainen
Tomasz Bartos