Petter penalty boosts Burns' title hopes

Burns looked to have secured two points after finishing fifth overall at the end of the event's 16 stages. However, Solberg, one position ahead of Burns after SS16, was booked into a regroup area after the final service of the rally two minutes early, deliberately netting a two-minute penalty.

The extra time moves Burns just 0.8s ahead of the Norwegian in the overall results and sees the Englishman leapfrog Carlos Sainz in the battle for third in the drivers' championship. But Solberg will no doubt be disappointed at being told to move over for Burns after completing what he regards as one of his best rallies yet.

"I'm very happy with my performance and the result," said Solberg before his penalty. "I think it has been one of the best drives of my career."

Tommi Makinen and Colin McRae still share the top of the drivers' standings on 40 points, but Burns' three points from this weekend leaves his tally just six short of the leaders on 34.

In the teams' championship, Peugeot scored another maximum haul to overtake Mitsubishi for second place behind leader Ford. Corsica Rally winner Jesus Puras is not eligible to score manufacturer points for Citroen so second and third-placed Gilles Panizzi and Didier Auriol bag 16 points for Peugeot.

"I'm just glad to be on maximum points for Peugeot," said Didier Auriol of his second place. The French team now has 76 points, just seven behind the Blue Oval. For latest championship standings, click here.