New evidence in Ogier route row
Sebastien Ogier's lead of Rally Mexico has come under threat from officialdom once again, with a Citroen representative requested to talk to the stewards of the event this evening after new evidence relating to his Friday route error emerged
The clerk of the course felt no action was required following the Frenchman's mistake - when he turn left into service instead of right into the regroup yesterday lunchtime - but the Ford team requested that the event organisers view video footage of the incident.
A Ford spokesman said: "We made a representation to the clerk of the course and invited them to view the independent footage of the incident."
The footage is alleged to show a Citroen mechanic putting the jack underneath the DS3 WRC and another mechanic touching the car - both of which would be classed as outside assistance.
The regroup area, which Ogier had passed into when he crossed through the time control, is governed by the same regulations as for a parc ferme, meaning nobody from the team is permitted to touch the car.
A decision from the stewards is expected this evening. If the video evidence is found to highlight a contravention of the rules, Ogier is almost certain to be hit with a time penalty, dropping him out of the lead and potentially leaving his team-mate Sebastien Loeb with a healthy advantage over Ford's Mikko Hirvonen going into Sunday's final day.
Citroen declined to comment on the situation.
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