Dakar star suffers bizarre FIA 'confiscation' ahead of gruelling rally

The FIA has handed a bizarre 'punishment' to Dakar Rally star Tom Coronel on the eve of this year's gruelling event.

Tom and brother Tim, who will be competing for the 10th time in the rally that starts in Saudi Arabia on January 3, had completed their final preparations seemingly without incident.

The shakedown session progressed smoothly, bar a minor GPS tablet malfunction that was swiftly resolved with an additional antenna.

Last-minute tweaks to the suspension settings and seat support adjustments were also completed, with the car passing its mandatory inspection.

Then the FIA officials intervened over something unusual.

"It all went well, except they had never seen something at the FIA before," Tom Coronel told RacingNews365. "I have a spray-painted HANS device. I've had it for 10 years, which, like my helmet, is spray-painted in cheese colours.

"And they confiscated it."

The colour is a reference to the fact that the helmet is a yellow colour [as can be seen in the main image], due to his sponsorship with a cheese company

"The FIA said, 'Maybe you'll get it back'," he smiled. "They had never seen a spray-painted HANS device. So, all of a sudden, 10 people were very busy with it.

"But I'm fine with it. I've been riding the Dakar Rally with it for 10 years. It's just like a helmet that's spray-painted carbon. It's all the same. Let's wait and see what they have in store for me next."

Despite the unexpected drama, Coronel's enthusiasm for the challenge ahead remains undimmed.

"The shakedown is done, and it went perfectly, although we did have a flat tyre during the run, and we just passed the inspection," he said.

"But we're ready. Parc fermé is done, the car is ready. I say. "Bring it on! Let it begin'."