World Touring Car Championship driver fined for live selfie video

Tom Coronel during his live broadcast.

A World Touring Car Championships driver has been busted for a silly offence much more common among average punters - only the fine is much heftier and he's appealing for help.

Dutch driver Tom Coronel of ROAL Motorsport ran third in qualifying at the Nurburgring in Germany and happy with the result, whipped out his smart phone to broadcast live from the car to his fans during his in-lap.

The FIA did not approve of him using the phone while driving, fining the Chevrolet driver 5000 Euros ($NZ8300) for a code of conduct breach. He must pay up within two days.

Qualy life after 󾟗 P3 boemmm still can not believe it so happy. My teamboss Roberto Ravaglia called me allready 3 times If it was true cant believe it...󾌩󾮗󾌩󾮗

Posted by Tom Coronel on Friday, 27 May 2016

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."

HELP I got fined 5000 euro by the FIA FIA WTCC for filming 🎥 myself (as always) for my fans after chequered 🏁flag with...

Posted by Tom Coronel on Friday, 27 May 2016

However, Coronel isn't taking the penalty lying down - instead, he's asked for crowdfunding to help cover the blow to his wallet. He noted that he copped a much heavier fine than he would have if he had committed the offence in a regular car on a public road.

Coronel qualified behind the Citroen pair Jose Maria Lopez and Yvan Muller for the race.