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World Rally Championship title contender Sebastien Ogier‘s second place on Rally Italy is under investigation.
The Frenchman left the end of the penultimate stage without the timecard, the vital paperwork which keeps a running record of the progress of the Ford Fiesta WRC through the controls, aboard his car.
Autosport understands Ogier‘s co-driver Julien Ingrassia was directed to remain in position by rally organisers so the card could be brought to him by another competitor.
The investigation has been confirmed by the FIA.
Ingrassia said: “I did a mistake. I can make it right 1000 times and one time you destroy all that you have accomplished.“
Asked for his take on the issue, Ogier said: “I never touched a timecard in my whole life, it didn‘t happen again today – you are asking the wrong man.“
This is the latest twist in a regulatory debate between M-Sport and Hyundai, with the Korean squad directing the organisers to have a look at Ogier’s impact on the chicane in the Rally Mexico powerstage.
M-Sport did the same last time out when Dani Sordo hit the tyres in a Rally Portugal superspecial.
This latest incident will be discussed by the stewards in Alghero this evening.
Ogier was beaten to the victory by Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville on the very last stage of the rally.
That, plus powerstage victory for the Belgian, means Neuville extended his points lead over Ogier to 27 points.