WRC Portugal: Robert Kubica retires after second crash

The M-Sport Fiesta RS WRC driver slid off the road 12 miles into the Santana de Serra test this morning.

In his efforts to get the car back on the road, the clutch was damaged.

The Pole explained that he was caught out by a corner which he thought was faster.

"It was a short and tough day," Kubica said. "From the very beginning we were driving very steadily, but this did not stop me from making another mistake.

"Going into the turn through a crest, I was convinced it was much faster. I thought it was five, but in the pace notes it was three.

"We were going too fast, even though, a few kilometres before, I slowed even more because my car developed massive understeer in right corners.

"We almost came back [on the road]. Half of the car was already on the road, but since I could not downshift, I was stuck in fourth gear.

"The revs went down too much and the car lost a momentum. I went back down and tried to find another way back to the road, but because of my attempts the clutch gave up and it was over."

Kubica added that he would be re-thinking his approach to rallies following his 10th crash in five rallies.

"Right now," he said, "I am going through a difficult period of my life, even though I've had worse times.

"I think I must somehow reset myself and try to approach rallies the way I did at the very beginning, 12 months ago. I really hope we will have a much better Rally Argentina."