EXCLUSIVE: Peugeot faces FIA probe
Cyprus water pump row is far from over
Motorsport's governing body the FIA is considering summoning Peugeot Sport boss Corrado Provera to provide further explanation of his team's exclusion from the Cyprus Rally, after close examination of the illegal water pumps involved revealed that they had been modified.
The cars of winner Marcus Gronholm and Harri Rovanpera were removed from the results of last month's event after their pumps were found to be different to those homologated for the engine. Peugeot did not appeal, but Provera gave a defiant protest at the ruling before last weekend's Acropolis Rally, lambasting the FIA for ‘bringing shame' on the manufacturer with its decision.
However, autosport.com can reveal that after subsequent analysis of the pumps, the FIA has now concluded that the impellers had been specifically modified to fit and it is now considering forcing Provera to explain Peugeot's conduct to the World Motor Sports Council at the end of this month.
“The pump in question was from a different engine and the plastic component had been deliberately machined down from 69 millimetres to 60 millimetres to fit the pump,” said an FIA spokesman. “If it had not been specially modified it would not have been able to fit the pump.”
When asked if further action would be taken the spokesman said, “We are currently reviewing the dossier.” But he declined to comment on speculation that Provera could be summoned to the WMSC.
Provera remains defiant. He told autosport.com: “This is the version the FIA may give. They know the truth. I said something very strong and I said at the end of my statement I wouldn't go back on my position. I stand by what I said, I gave them the documents showing the pump conformed.”
