Rally driver fined after hitting photographer

Jari Matti Latvala at the 84th Rally of Monte Carlo. Photo / AP

A Finnish world championship driver hit a photographer during the Monte Carlo rally, and carried on driving.

Jari-Matti Latvala has been banned for one race and fined $8300 for failing to check on the spectator following the low speed collision.

Latvala claimed his vision was blocked by "thick steam from the engine and mud that had sprayed up from the ditch."

But a stewards statement found that "hard to believe".

"The body could be seen quite prominently on the bonnet and right in front of the windscreen," it stated.