Nasser Al-Attiyah has been excluded from the results of Rally Guanajuato Mexico.

The Barwa World Rally Team driver completed the 22-stage event at the top of the Super 2000 World Rally Championship standings in seventh overall in a Ford Fiesta S2000.

However, a post-event scrutineering report issued by the technical delegate from the FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, stated that the fuel cell ventilation valves did not conform to the technical regulations.

After deliberation, the event stewards took the decision to exclude Al-Attiyah and co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini. It would have been the duo’s first win in the SWRC.

After being informed of the decision, a dejected Al-Attiyah said: “I’m bitterly disappointed. I’m looking to win the championship this year. This is a rally I like very much and a rally where I have a lot of experience. We did not get any advantage through this and it’s very bad after such a great race where we made no mistakes.”

Credit: WRC.com