Norwegian Oliver Solberg – son of rally legend Petter Solberg – had to eat a 5-minute penalty for drifting in Monaco at the weekend.
Norwegian rally driver Oliver Solberg has been given a five-minute penalty for "illegal show driving" on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit during the Monte Carlo Rally.
The incident took place at the famous Fairmont Hairpin, which is part of a stretch that both the rally and Formula 1 races have been short on over time. Solberg was also on his way to the pits when he gave his car a little too much gas in the corner.
Solberg, who finished second in the WRC2 championship last year, was, according to the judges, 'seen performing a controlled skid in the corner'.
The judges chose to issue a five-minute penalty for the violation, although it has little impact on Solberg, as he chose not to drive for WRC2 points this weekend.
The 23-year-old Swede finished sixth in the Rally2 class and 13th overall in what was his debut in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car.
"The judges reviewed video footage. The incident occurred on the stretch of road from the final podium in Monaco, in the 'Fairmont' corner," the judge's report states.
This is reported by Motorsport.com .
– The driver (Solberg, ed.) admitted that he cut sideways in front of the spectators. The driver apologized for his mistake, adding that in his own opinion he did not create 'a dangerous situation'
"The judges examined the case in detail and concluded that a potentially dangerous situation was created when a turn was executed in a so-called 'drift' by the driver of car no. 20, and many people stood up at this turn."
– Article 12.18 of the supplementary regulations of the 93rd Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo states that show driving is strictly prohibited everywhere due to the lack of suitable places."
"The judges therefore determined that the driver of car no. 20 did not respect the relevant rules and applied the above-mentioned time penalty."
It's not the first time Solberg has been penalised for this type of behaviour. He was given a one-minute penalty for doing donuts at the end of a so-called super special stage in Rally Portugal, which cost him the WRC2 victory.
In 2022, Sebastien Ogier received a reprimand and a fine of 1,500 euros, equivalent to 11,000 kroner, for a similar 'show' in Spain.
