McRae on crash: 'I'm devastated'

Now his title hopes lie in the hands of his arch rival. If Richard Burns can finish in the top four, the Englishman will beat the Scot to claim his first world championship.

McRae crashed out in spectacular fashion on SS4 when he lost control in a fifth gear corner and was sent into a series of rolls. "I cut the corner too much and the car rolled over," McRae said. "I'm devastated."

"I made a mistake and we paid the penalty. We cut a fast right hander and the car hit a hole on the edge of the road. We were launched in the air and rolled four or five times. The car was quite badly damaged.

"We were trying to win the championship and unfortunately that's what can happen in these situations. We came so near and I'm so sorry for the team who have put so much effort in."

But his co-driver Nicky Grist has not given up hope that Burns will retire too, handing the title to him and McRae. "It's not nice when it ends like this," said Grist. "But it's not all over for the world championship. Tommi won it in the same way a few years ago after retiring and this is a similar situation."

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson was less optimistic. "You can imagine how we all feel," he said. "It's been in our grasp all year and in our destiny here. It's going to be a long three days. Richard's got it if he keeps that position and I think the manufacturers' title has definitely gone."

McRae was taken to hospital for a scan but has been given the all-clear. Grist was treated for a swollen arm.