The just-concluded Automobile de Monte-Carlo Rally was the first competition to apply brand new rules.
From now on, the crews of the Rally1 hybrid specials will have to face a new challenge at every world rally. This will be the completion of some sections of crossings purely electric. New cars make it possible, and the FIA has decided to sell these conveniences in this way. The Monaco organizers set aside only 0.3% of the total length of the crossings for these electrified sections. Even so, these 3.7 kilometers were enough for the first sinners to appear. Which of the spectators was looking forward to the crash of the internal combustion engines when crossing the starting ramp directly in Monaco, only Sébastien Ogier was pleased with the elite of the World Rally Championship. The conversation on the starting ramp dragged on a bit, and the reigning world champion no longer had enough time to start the electric motor and quietly disappear from there. It was these circumstances that softened the stewards, who eventually gave him no punishment: “When Mr Ogier gave the interview, the hybrid system was properly switched off. but they stopped the internal combustion engine. But they stopped right after the time control and the rest of the section was already running on electricity. ”
Ogier’s traditional rival Thierry Neuville did not escape the reprimand from the stewards. In his case, the offense occurred on Saturday’s service break for changing bikes and minor repairs in the middle of the stage. As the classic service was not included in the Saturday stage, it was here that the crew had the only opportunity to do something with the damaged shock absorber. This, of course, dragged on and the crew was threatened with a time penalty. As in the case of Ogier, there was no time to turn on the hybrid drive, and Neuville left the zone with the roar of the internal combustion engine. Thus, apart from the reprimand, the Belgian did not receive any time or financial penalties, however, it can be expected that these offenses will be punished during the season. The hybrid drive brings the crews a positive in the form of a temporary increase in power by 100 kW, but also a lot of worries. During the special stages, he must think about recharging the battery and also hope that the hybrid drive will not stop working. This happened to several crews during Monte Carlo, and his inactivity obviously has a detrimental effect on time. In addition to the special stages, they must pay attention to these new zones, which they are only allowed to complete on electric power.
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