Prokop threatens WRC exit over Italy penalty
WRC privateer Martin Prokop was left fuming after a five-minute time penalty, which put him out of contention before the start of Rally Italia Sardegna.
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
A long-time WRC participant, Prokop made his debut in a top-tier car in 2011 and has been a regular ever since.
Having entered the Dakar for the first time this year, he had a shorter campaign planned this season and Italy was only his third appearance.
Prokop's chance to deliver a strong result became highly unlikely even before the first stage as he received a five-minute penalty for breaking the seal of his car's transmission.
"Thanks to the stewards for the five-minute penalty. I'm really angry about this. I have completely lost my motivation," said Prokop after SS1.
According to the WRC Sporting Regulations, if the seals of the engine are found to be destroyed without the written approval of the FIA Technical delegate, a five-minute penalty will be imposed by the stewards at the next rally.
Prokop was only 23rd after Saturday but managed to fight his way back up to 11th by the end of the rally, missing out on the points by half a minute.
"My favourite rally of the year but from the beginning we struggled with the penalty decision," summarised Prokop after the Power Stage.
"I will leave the championship now. I'm not happy with this situation. I don't know when I will come back."
Apart from Dakar and a part-time WRC campaign, Prokop has also been in endurance racing, including the Mugello 12 hours alongside Robert Kubica.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
Ostberg, Prokop to form WRC team with 2017-spec Fords
Kubica suffers early suspension failure in Mugello 12 Hours
Overdrive Racing and Toyota Gazoo Racing finish gruelling Dakar Rally
Porsche lodges appeal over da Costa's Misano Formula E disqualification
Ricky Taylor looking for redemption at Long Beach
How Senna’s early Pacific GP exit raised his Benetton suspicions
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lappi survived Swedish snow carnage to snap his lengthy WRC drought
The new WRC highs Neuville reached to defeat Monte master Ogier
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments