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FIA Slams WRC Star with Shocking Penalty for Striking Official at Rally Finland

David Castro by David Castro
August 7, 2025
in Motorsports, WRC
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
FIA Slams WRC Star with Shocking Penalty for Striking Official at Rally Finland

Robert Virves (EST), Ott Tänak (EST) of team HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM are seen during the World Rally Championship Greece in Lamia, Greece on September 7, 2024 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409070969 // Usage for editorial use only //

WRC STAR OTT TANAK SLAPPED WITH HARSH PENALTY FOR STRIKING OFFICIAL

In a shocking turn of events, the FIA has come down hard on Hyundai WRC driver Ott Tanak for his actions at Rally Finland. Tanak, the 2019 WRC champion, was penalized with a five-minute penalty and a suspended points deduction after striking an official during the event.

The incident unfolded after Tanak’s rally car suffered an overheating issue following a crash on a stage, causing significant damage. Despite the challenges, Tanak was instructed by his team to keep the car moving to regulate temperatures. However, things took a drastic turn at the stop control of stage seven when Tanak collided with a scrutineer, causing injuries to the official.

The FIA found Tanak in violation of several articles of the 2025 FIA International Sporting Code, citing unsafe conduct, failure to adhere to scrutineer instructions, and misconduct. As a result, Tanak received a five-minute time penalty, plummeting him from 10th to 29th position during the rally. Additionally, he faces a suspended 35-point deduction, which will be enforced if a similar incident occurs in the remaining rounds of the 2025 season.

Despite the setback, Tanak managed to salvage a 10th place finish in Finland. Currently sitting in fourth place in the 2025 drivers’ standings, Tanak trails championship leader Elfyn Evans of Toyota by 13 points.

The stewards’ report detailed the events leading to the altercation, highlighting Tanak’s actions and subsequent apologies. Tanak expressed regret for the incident and offered a personal apology to the injured official, emphasizing his lack of awareness at the time of the collision.

The penalty comes amidst a challenging period for Hyundai, with Tanak’s teammates Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux facing their own setbacks during the rally. Neuville conceded defeat in his title defense aspirations for 2025, while Toyota’s dominance saw Kalle Rovanpera secure his second victory of the season, narrowing Evans’ championship lead.

In a surprising announcement, eight-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier revealed his decision to compete in all remaining rounds of the season, deviating from his initial part-time plans for 2025.

As the WRC season unfolds with twists and turns, Tanak remains focused on the upcoming challenges, acknowledging the competitive nature of the sport. With the championship still up for grabs, the stage is set for a fierce battle in the rounds to come.

Tags: 2025-toyota-usa-track-and-field-championships2025-wrc-rally-finland2025-wrc-seasonAdrien Fourmauxhyundai-bossott-tanak-2Thierry Neuville
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