Makinen rolls out on SS5 (updated)

Makinen was running eighth on the final stage of the day when his Lancer WRC clipped a wall just after the halfway point, flipping it upside down. The car slid along onto its roof before coming to a rest on the edge of a steep drop.

The four-time world champion, who currently shares the title lead with Colin McRae, escaped unhurt. However, his co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki stayed in the car until medical help arrived and the Finn was later stretchered away on a spinal board and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Following a preliminary examination on the island of Corsica, Mannisenmaki has since been flown to a better-equipped hospital in Marseille for further tests, which depending on the results could lead to an operation.

Nine drivers had completed the day's second running of the Ocana-Radicale test, but proceedings were halted just as Subaru's Markko Martin was about to take the start.

Stewards attempted to allow the nine times already set to stand and award an average time to the drivers who did not complete the stage.

However, that suggestion is thought to have upset the Citroen team, which had the most to lose as its driver Jesus Puras, who currently leads, but is running 15th on the road, would likely have set a faster time than the average one he would have been awarded.

That would have sliced into, or even cost Puras, his lead. Therefore the final stage of the day has been cancelled and the overall classification stands as at the end of SS4.

The drivers have now headed back to the Ajaccio service area to prepare for Leg 2, which starts tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 0815 BST.

For times from SS4, click here.

For full rally live timings, click here.

For rally itinerary, click here.

For full entry list, click here.