γιατί την πήραν πίσω;;;;;;;;;;

Ο νέος επικεφαλής της Citroen Racing, Yves Matton, θεωρεί ότι η απόφαση είναι άδικη! «Δεν είχαμε καμία πρόθεση να κλέψουμε και αυτή η απόφαση είναι υπερβολική. Με δεδομένο το γεγονός ότι κανένα από τα δύο παραπάνω στοιχεία δεν μας προσέφερε κάποιο ουσιαστικά πλεονέκτημα, θα κάνουμε έφεση. Επίσης, θα ήθελα να ζητήσω συγγνώμη στο Mikko και το Jarmo, οι οποίοι έκαναν έναν εξαιρετικό αγώνα και κέρδισαν κάτω από ιδιαίτερα αντίξοες συνθήκες. Πραγματικά, τους άξιζε η πρώτη τους νίκη με τα χρώματα της ομάδας μας. Αυτό που μπορώ να κάνω εκ μέρους ολόκληρης της ομάδας, είναι να ζητήσω συγγνώμη»._Π.Τ.

Citroen Racing has confirmed that it will not appeal the decision of the event stewards to exclude Mikko Hirvonen from the results of Vodafone Rally de Portugal, round four of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia.

In a statement, team principal Yves Matton said: “We had stated our intention to appeal in order to give us time to analyse the matter in more detail. As regards the clutch, our supplier has sent us a letter of apology acknowledging the existence of a batch of parts, which were different from those on the homologation documentation. This letter confirms that it was never our intention to cheat. At the same time, this situation forces us to look again at our procedures, since these parts were not picked up during our own checks.

“On the second point identified by the scrutineers, the sole supplier of turbo compressors approved by the FIA for all manufacturers, has confirmed to us the plastic expansion of the wheel turbine. Additional analysis will undoubtedly confirm that this was due to wear on the part. We accept this harsh penalty but are determined to learn the lessons and ensure that we will be even better in future. We still lead both world championships, but the gaps have been reduced. We now go into the upcoming rallies more determined than ever to get back to winning ways.”

Hirvonen added: “Obviously, I am very disappointed but I am not annoyed. These things happen. You have to accept them when they do, learn the necessary lessons and go again.”

Citroen’s decision means Mads Ostberg is confirmed as the event winner, his first victory in the WRC.