Petter Solberg gets suspended ban over speeding offence

The Ford driver, who finished third in the event, was caught doing 106km/h in a 50km/h limit at 21.10 local time on Saturday, following the final stage of leg four.

A statement from the organisers said: "On being questioned, the driver explained that indeed, he was accelerating at the said speed in trying to pass a slower car and in doing so, he passed the continuous centre line on the road, but was then braking immediately. He apologised for his lapse."

The stewards felt Solberg had infringed article 151c of the International Sporting Code by committing an "act prejudicial to the interest ... of motor sport generally".

Solberg was given a reprimand, a 1,400 euro fine and a suspended ban from the next event he contests, which will be Sweden. But the ban will be imposed retrospectively "should the driver commit any speeding offence of 50 per cent or more of an applicable speed limit in any of the next six WRC rallies in which he participates during the 2012 season" - so he risks disqualification from Sweden if caught speeding again.