Dani Sordo's hopes of a strong finish to the World Rally Championship season have be൲en hit by a five minute penalty handed dღown prior to the start of Wales Rally GB.

The Citroen driver w༺as penalised by stewards after it was revealed that the chassis he will use this weekend will take him above the limit of eight allowed over the course of the season.

In line 🍷with the regulations, event stewards have handed down a fꦯive minute penalty that the Spaniard will now be forced to carry into the opening stages of the event this evening.

"The stewards received a report from the FIA Technical Delegate stating that the chassis used in car #3 is the ninth chꦉassis used for testing and competing in registered events of the current season," a statement from the stewards🤪 read.

"The stewards consider this is not in compliance with Article 64.4.1 of the 2013 🌊FIA World Rally Championship Sporting Regulations. After hearing the rationale given by the Entrant's representative and in application of Article 64.4.2 of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship Sporting Regulations, the Stewards after due delibertation decide to impose a time penalty of five minutes on the Entrant of car #3 for non-compliance with Article 64.4 of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship."

Sordo and his fellow WRC front-runners are currently running through the qualifying staಞge at Llandegla before the starting order is revealed in the Deeside 𒁏Service Park at 13.30 local time.