Neste Rally Finland 2017

[Andre Oliveira]

Sebastien Ogier will not restart Rally Finland for the final day after further medical tests on his concussed co-driver Julien Ingrassia.

World Rally Championship leader Ogier retired from Friday's leg when suspension damage from a heavy landing led to a crash in which his M-Sport Ford hit a tree on Ingrassia's side.

The rally's chief medical officer Dr Timo Kaukonen said late on Friday that Ingrassia had suffered concussion and advised him not to compete for 15 days.

While acknowledging that decision, M-Sport wanted more time to get further tests done so checked Ogier's repaired car out of parc ferme for leg two before retiring it again.

It had to go through the formality of restarting for Saturday in order to be allowed to do so on Sunday, when powerstage bonus points are available.

Having had a CG scan on Friday, Ingrassia underwent an MRI scan on Saturday at a different hospital. The scans were both clear but the diagnosis of concussion was upheld.

He is expected to be fit for the next WRC round in Germany next month.

M-Sport's Rich Millener said the team accepted the decision.

"We just wanted some through checks from the neurosurgeon today," he said.

"They came with the same prognosis so that's fine.

"He just needs some time off to make him fully fit for Germany.

Sebastien Ogier Rally Finland 2017

"We had the [Friday] decision given to us late at night without the crew and we wanted the opportunity to make a further decision today with the crew around, and that's what we did.

"The organisers agree with us. There's no harm to going to get more tests, which is what we'd done.

"The outcome is the same as what the CMO here said. The CMO gave great advice.

"Nothing against any of the decisions made previously, we just wanted to get some more options before the final decision."

FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen backed M-Sport's decision to seek further advice.

"I'm not a doctor, but the understanding is that it's a medical ethics issue and you're entitled to a second opinion," he said.

It initially looked like the damage to Ogier's 11-point WRC lead would be limited as his title rival Thierry Neuville struggled in a distant ninth on Friday morning.

But slightly improved pace from Hyundai and attrition ahead has moved Neuville onto the tail of fifth-placed Craig Breen going into the final day.

Neuville is on course to get either eight points for sixth or 10 for fifth, with another five available on the powerstage.

"It means [Ogier] will go away from here with nothing but you can't risk the safety of the crew," Millener added.

"[Ingrassia] needs to look after himself. There's no point doing anything else.

"Germany's going to be exciting for the fans now."

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131018

[dimviii]

Latvalas reaction

https://twitter.com/suomi_urheilu/st...34087465742337

[KKS]

nice passes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOfA2j-cg3Y

Really good one!

And rally organizers put post inside a corner to prevent road damage by cutting? But same people make chicanes, where road dig up to 20cm. No logic for me.

[sindroms]

Let's go! Lets start to check out Mads on-boards on plus.wrc.com! Which stage?!!!
https://twitter.com/ChristianWRC1/st...55611098746880

[KKS]

Ogier didn't restart tomorrow https://www.facebook.com/MSportLtd/p...type=3&theater

Latvala will restart?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So zero points for Ogier in Finland, not even from the power stage.

Neuville's poor performance here wont cost him anything.

[Eli]

Sebastien Ogier will not restart Rally Finland for the final day after further medical tests on his concussed co-driver Julien Ingrassia.

World Rally Championship leader Ogier retired from Friday's leg when suspension damage from a heavy landing led to a crash in which his M-Sport Ford hit a tree on Ingrassia's side.

The rally's chief medical officer Dr Timo Kaukonen said late on Friday that Ingrassia had suffered concussion and advised him not to compete for 15 days.

While acknowledging that decision, M-Sport wanted more time to get further tests done so checked Ogier's repaired car out of parc ferme for leg two before retiring it again.

It had to go through the formality of restarting for Saturday in order to be allowed to do so on Sunday, when powerstage bonus points are available.

Having had a CG scan on Friday, Ingrassia underwent an MRI scan on Saturday at a different hospital. The scans were both clear but the diagnosis of concussion was upheld.

He is expected to be fit for the next WRC round in Germany next month.

M-Sport's Rich Millener said the team accepted the decision.

"We just wanted some through checks from the neurosurgeon today," he said.

"They came with the same prognosis so that's fine.

"He just needs some time off to make him fully fit for Germany.

Sebastien Ogier Rally Finland 2017

"We had the [Friday] decision given to us late at night without the crew and we wanted the opportunity to make a further decision today with the crew around, and that's what we did.

"The organisers agree with us. There's no harm to going to get more tests, which is what we'd done.

"The outcome is the same as what the CMO here said. The CMO gave great advice.

"Nothing against any of the decisions made previously, we just wanted to get some more options before the final decision."

FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen backed M-Sport's decision to seek further advice.

"I'm not a doctor, but the understanding is that it's a medical ethics issue and you're entitled to a second opinion," he said.

It initially looked like the damage to Ogier's 11-point WRC lead would be limited as his title rival Thierry Neuville struggled in a distant ninth on Friday morning.

But slightly improved pace from Hyundai and attrition ahead has moved Neuville onto the tail of fifth-placed Craig Breen going into the final day.

Neuville is on course to get either eight points for sixth or 10 for fifth, with another five available on the powerstage.

"It means [Ogier] will go away from here with nothing but you can't risk the safety of the crew," Millener added.

"[Ingrassia] needs to look after himself. There's no point doing anything else.

"Germany's going to be exciting for the fans now."

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/131018

If Neuville doesn't get any points in the power stage honestly....Ogier will take that title....

On a more positive note, what a drive by Lappi, on only his 4th run in a World Rally Car and not just any World Rally Car but a 2017 spec?...most impressive!! I mean when you think about it up until this season their was a pretty nice difference between R5's and WRC cars, but this year the difference is huge, so to come like this and win (is it?) 8 stages?! Hats off to him and to be leading...really hope he will cross that finish line tomorrow in the same position he is now. BTW, when was the last time a thing like this happened? I know Loeb won on his 10th event and Ogier a bit after that...speechless for now.
Also what a job from Sunninen, on only his 2nd event? Finland's rallying future is looking very bright right now like it's very own northern lights.

[EstWRC]

Really good one!

And rally organizers put post inside a corner to prevent road damage by cutting? But same people make chicanes, where road dig up to 20cm. No logic for me.

Just look at the Toyotas, totally clued into the track! No wonder they are so fast

[dimviii]

Tanaks 49 meters jump
https://twitter.com/RallyFinland/sta...21633469865984



Michel V.‏*@rockollector
Now Ogier unfortunately can't restart tomorrow, Neuville can become first 'new' driver to lead championship since Latvala (SWE '14). #WRC

[racerx1979]

Ogier didn't restart tomorrow https://www.facebook.com/MSportLtd/p...type=3&theater

Latvala will restart?

Latvala was supposed to restart. Car was in service being worked on a few hours ago.