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WRC Rally Argentina: M-Sport 'disillusioned' over Evans decision

M-Sport World Rally Championship team boss Malcolm Wilson has declared himself "disillusioned" over officials' decisions on day one of Rally Argentina

Wilson's team expected lead driver Elfyn Evans' SS2 time to be adjusted after he was slowed in Thierry Neuville's dust for six miles as the Hyundai rejoined following a wheel-change.

Stewards have sometimes been willing to adjust delayed drivers' stage times in such circumstances in the past, but the organisers felt no change was necessary for the Welshman.

There was further frustration for Wilson when WRC2 frontrunner Yurii Protasov was hit with a 15-minute penalty for driving less than a mile on three wheels while he tried to find somewhere to repair his stricken Ford Fiesta RRC after SS3.

Having damaged the right-rear of his Fiesta, Protasov ran 500 metres back into the stage to collect the upright and wheel, which he then carried back to the car.

He drove less than a mile to find somewhere safe to repair the Fiesta, which he did before driving to service on four wheels.

Regulations state that the cars must run on four rotating wheels and the stewards hit Protasov with a 15-minute penalty.

"I thought we were trying to encourage people to come and compete in this championship," said Wilson.

"I just don't understand it. I understand the rules, but these guys drove at less than 10mph and only drove the car on to find somewhere safe to work on it - they were looking for the first flat area.

"Yurii's efforts were the talk of the rally and the story of the rally and this is the thanks they get.

"What he did was remarkable in fixing the car.

"And, to my mind, he'd paid a high enough price in the penalties for being last back to service while he fixed the car.

"I have to say, with this and the treatment of Elfyn, I'm pretty disillusioned.

"Sometimes, I just don't get it."

Despite setting fastest time on four stages on Friday, Protasov starts Saturday sixth in WRC2.

Evans begins leg two just behind Dani Sordo's Hyundai in fifth overall.

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