FIA World Rally Championship driver Ott Tanak has been handed a $6000 fine at his home event, Rally Estonia, for failing to wear a hat during podium celebrations.
The Hyundai driver appeared on the rostrum after finishing third in the latest round of the championship.
As is set out in the FIA World Rally Championship rules, drivers are to wear promoter-issued hats while on the podium.
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Tanak was found to be in breach having not worn the hat during post-event celebrations nor during the subsequent press conference.
He was duly dealt a $6000 fine by the FIA, $4500 of which is suspended pending no further breaches of the regulations this season.
Tanak initially defended himself against the allegations but was found out once stewards reviewed footage and photographic evidence.
A stewards’ report read: “The driver stated that during the podium after the powerstage, he had removed the cap only after the champagne spray because the cap was totally wet and the outside temperature was low.
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“Furthermore, when in Tartu at the final podium, he was wearing the cap and he had removed it during the national anthems but had not worn it again for the same reasons.
“After further investigations, the stewards held a second hearing on Sunday 17th July 2022 at 1940 with Mr Pablo Marcos.
“The stewards showed the video footage of the powerstage podium available on WRC+ and other pictures taken at the final podium in Tartu.
“This evidence clearly showed that Mr Tanak was not wearing the cap neither before the champagne spray nor after it on both podiums and that his statement made in the first hearing was not correct.
“Furthermore, the driver attended the post-rally press conference, which was held inside the HQ, also without the cap.
“The stewards concurred that this incident had a negative impact on the commercial rights of the WRC.”
The stewards noted Hyundai had been warned about the same issue last year during Rally Spain.
Although Tanak was a podium finisher, it was a tough Rally Estonia for the hometown favourite who wound up nearly two minutes off the pace of the leading Toyota.
The rally was dominated by Kalle Rovanpera who led home teammate Elfyn Evans by one minute.
Rovanpera, who at just 21 is well on course for his first WRC title, secured the win with a dominant final stage triumph over 20 seconds quicker than his nearest rivals.
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