World rally champion Marcus Gronholm will quit the championship if new rules governing the sport are introduced.
Speaking to AUTOSPORT magazine the two-time world champion said: "I feel it is wrong, and if the changes are made then I do not want to be part of the sport." The Finn was discussing proposed changes that would see teams forced to test in one country during the season, conduct rally recces with their rally cars and, most controversially, introduce rules about the third drivers selected for teams. The third driver rule has been ratified for next season stirring up anger amongst WRC stars including Markko Martin and Gronholm.
In the new rules, a team's third driver will not be allowed to compete if he has scored a top-three finish since 2001. This would mean teams wishing to run a third driver would not be allowed to select a driver who has achieved a podium finish since 2001. Other changes include a switch to normally aspirated engines which was generally well-accepted but the third driver rule has stirred up emotions in the normally placid Finn.
"This is really just bullshit. I can't se how any of this could be a good idea. Take the idea of doing our reconnaissance in the rally car - rally? Its crazy. If we are supposed to be doing the recce in our rally car, we'll end up listening to the engine and looking what the car s doing on that stage. It's just a crazy idea", said Gronholm.
The Finn is unlikely to go through with his threat but his comments indicate that continuing changes to spice up the WRC are not going to be met with universal approval.
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