Hirvonen stripped of Rally Portugal win

Almost as soon as the e-ink had dried on our WRC article informing of Mikko Hirvonen’s win at Rally Portugal word arrived informing he had been disqualified from the event; now we know why the official results have been slow to update.

In post-race scrutineering officials found Hirvonen’s Citroën DS3 WRC had differences between the homologation sheet and the clutch and the turbocharger. A statement from Citroën can be read in full after the break.

“We had no intention whatsoever to cheat and the decision appears out of proportion,” claimed Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal.

“Given the fact that the reported differences didn’t bring us any advantage, we’ve decided to appeal.

“At the moment, most of all I feel sorry for Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, who produced a superb performance on a particularly difficult rally. They really deserved their first win with us.

“All I can do, on behalf of the entire team, is offer my sincere apologies for this situation. I hope that Mikko and Jarmo will have the chance to top the podium again very soon. ”

The changes in final classification mean the win is handed to Ford Fiesta WRC driver Mads Ostberg, his first ever WRC victory. Although, with Citroën’s announcement that they will be appealing the decision, we dare say Ostberg won’t be popping any champagne corks just yet.

It’s always a shame when race wins are fought out between teams and officials well after the cars have crossed the finish line.

Winning Citroën excluded from the Rally of Portugal

The Citroen DS3 WRC of Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, who won the fourth round of the World Rally Championship, the 2012 Rally of Portugal, at the weekend (29 March – 1 April 2012) have been excluded from the event following irregularities with their car

After completing the post-rally technical scrutineering, the Rally de Portugal Stewards were issued with a report from the FIA Technical Delegate which had identified differences in between the homologation sheet and two components on the No. 2 Citroën DS3 WRC.

After receiving representatives from Citroën Racing, the Stewards excluded Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, who had finished first.

Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroën Racing Technical Director and Deputy Team Principal said:

“The scrutineers identified differences in between the homologation sheet and two components: the clutch and the turbocharger. The Citroën DS3 WRCs clutch mechanisms are homologated with lightening holes. Our supplier recently provided us with a batch of parts that were not perforated and one of them was fitted to the number two DS3 WRC. These parts don’t provide any gain in terms of performance, as they are heavier than those which are homologated. Regarding the turbocharger, which is a standard part on all World Rally Cars, the wheel turbine dimension exceed the maximum authorized. This difference comes from dilatation, as the wheel is subject to extreme temperature and rpm factors.”

Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal: “We had no intention whatsoever to cheat and the Decision appears out of proportion. Given the fact that the reported differences didn’t bring us any advantage, we’ve decided to appeal. At the moment, most of all I feel sorry for Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, who produced a superb performance on a particularly difficult rally. They really deserved their first win with us. All I can do, on behalf of the entire team, is offer my sincere apologies for this situation. I hope that Mikko and Jarmo will have the chance to top the podium again very soon. ”