Duval crash stops stage
The sixth stage of the Monte Carlo Rally has been stopped after an accident befell second-placed Citroen driver Francois Duval
His co-driver Stephane Prevot has been taken to Niece Hospital complaining of leg pains after the duo's Xsara hit a telegraph pole.
The impact (which was on the co-driver's side of the car) brought the pole down across the road, blocking the stage.
Skoda's Armin Schwarz then crashed heavily on SS7, which most of the lead cars had begun by the time Duval went off. Schwarz has been taken to hospital having reportedly suffered a shoulder injury.
Schwarz's team-mate Alexandre Bengue was the fastest man through SS6 before it was stopped, having outpaced all bar rally leader Sebastien Loeb - who was unable to complete the stage after Duval's accident. Loeb was given a notional time (equal to Bengue's) and now leads new second place man Marcus Gronholm by 1m38s.
Stephane Sarrazin's first drive for the Subaru World Rally Team has also come to an early end after the Frenchman crashed out 2km from the end of the stage.
The sometime Formula 1 driver had been running tenth after losing time with braking problems on leg one and then two spins on this morning's first stage.
He then went off again 2km from the end of the Toudon-St Antonin stage and broke a wheel, ending his rally.
F1 teams agree to pursue standalone sprint format for Baku
F1 teams agree to pursue standalone sprint format for Baku F1 teams agree to pursue standalone sprint format for Baku
Live: F1 Australian GP commentary and updates
Live: F1 Australian GP commentary and updates Live: F1 Australian GP commentary and updates
Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane
Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane
F2 Australia: Iwasa survives chaos for second win of 2023
F2 Australia: Iwasa survives chaos for second win of 2023 F2 Australia: Iwasa survives chaos for second win of 2023
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.