The WRC2 title race just took a dramatic twist in Rally Chile as Oliver Solberg’s Toksport team successfully pushed for a reexamination of their previously rejected protest against Yohan Rossel’s notional time. The protest, initially dismissed, will now be reheard by Rally Chile stewards following a critical intervention from FIA Road Sport director Andrew Wheatley.
On Friday, Rally Chile stewards announced that new, “significant and relevant” evidence had come to light—evidence that was unavailable when the original decision was made. This evidence could potentially reshape the outcome of the rally and the WRC2 championship standings.
The controversy centers around Rossel’s stage time for SS11, which was reduced by 40 seconds after a claim that he was hindered by Solberg, who had stopped mid-stage to change a puncture and then resumed in front of him. Solberg’s team felt the time reduction was excessive and appealed, but the stewards initially deemed the protest inadmissible.
However, Wheatley invoked Article 14.1.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code, allowing for a review if new, relevant information emerges. The game-changing evidence turned out to be video footage and GPS data, provided by the FIA, showing the real-time interactions between the two drivers on SS11.
The video shows Solberg resuming close in front of Rossel in thick fog, with Rossel later running wide and coming to a complete stop approximately three minutes after encountering Solberg. The FIA admitted that if this data had been available earlier, the original decision might have been different. The stewards found the FIA’s new submission significant enough to warrant a complete review.
With the case now reopened, DG Sport and rally officials will reconvene to reassess Solberg’s appeal. The outcome could dramatically impact the WRC2 title race, as Rossel’s demotion from first place would effectively eliminate him from title contention. However, if he retains his position and wins the Central European Rally (CER), he could still surpass Solberg in the championship standings, depending on Sami Pajari’s results in Japan.
The stakes are high for all contenders. If Rossel loses more than 26.2 seconds as a result of the appeal, he would drop behind Solberg, giving Solberg crucial points that would extend his lead over Pajari. In that scenario, Pajari would need to finish second rather than third in Japan to claim the title. Meanwhile, if Rossel’s appeal fails, Nikolay Gryazin would have an outside shot at the WRC2 title, but only if he secures wins in both the CER and Japan.
As the tension builds, all eyes will be on the upcoming review and how the ruling will shake up the WRC2 championship battle.
