Fuel system contamination blamed in McRae DNF

McRae retired before the start of the sixth and final stage of leg one when low fuel pressure meant the Scot was unable to fire up his car. He was lying seventh overall at the time, but his third DNF out of four WRC rounds held so far in 2001 means he remains marooned on zero drivers' championship points.

McRae's team mates Carlos Sainz and Francois Delecour also experienced problems with their fuel systems and the team carried out precautionary changes at the day's final service as a result.

"All the drivers have experienced low fuel pressure and had to switch from the main fuel pump to the reserve to keep going," said Wilson. "The fuel system is no different to that used on other rallies this season and Francois's car completed 400km in testing just before the recce with no signs of difficulty.

"I think there may be a contamination problem in the fuel tank and we've changed the entire fuel system at service tonight on Carlos's and Francois's cars. We'll examine Colin's car this evening and hopefully that will tell us what the problem is."

"I don't know what caused the problem but it started on the road section before the final stage," said 32-year-old McRae. "The car wouldn't run properly and it was pointless trying to start the stage. We're just having a really bad run at the moment and things seem to be going against us at every turn. It'll get better soon."