Tom Coronel hit with 5,000 EUR fine for using his phone whilst driving

ROAL Motorsport driver Tom Coronel’s post-qualifying celebrations via the Dutchman’s social media channels netted the Chevrolet driver a sizeable fine from the FIA, as they handed him a 5,000 EUR fine for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Coronel qualified in third position in his Chevrolet RML Cruze behind the Citroën pair of José-María López and Yvan Muller, with a time 4.5 seconds from López, and during his in-lap took to his social media account to broadcast live via his mobile phone to his fans about the result.

Although carrying a mobile phone in the car isn’t an offence, the stewards took dimly to the Dutchman’s use of his phone whilst in the car and hit him with a 5,000 EUR penalty which must be paid to the FIA within two days.

The stewards’ decision stated:
“At the end of qualifying, the driver was using a mobile phone while driving the car on the track; action contrary to the image of the FIA. Breach of 12.1.1c and 12.1.1d of the ISC (International Sporting Code). Not respecting the instructions given through the competition notes of the race director regarding the use of mobile phone.”