Sainz joins list of retirements

The Ford star hit a rock on the 27km Ocana run and has become the third major retirement of the rally, following Philippe Bugalski and Toshio Arai's exits from the event on the opening stage.

The rock Sainz hit became wedged under the sump guard on his Focus. Although it eventually dislodged itself, the rock caused heavy damage to the sump. Sainz reported that his oil pressure light had come on and was forced to stop agonisingly close to the day's first searvice area.

"Three kilometres before the end of the stage there was a left-hand bend," explained a disconsolate Sainz. "On the exit of the bend there was a big stone in the middle of the road. I had to go over it because there was no way it could be avoided.

"The stone stayed between the sump guard and the asphalt for 600 metres. I had to go slowly because I had no steering as the wheels were off the ground. I finished the stage, but then realised my oil pressure light was on. I stopped 1km from the service."

The Ford team gave him instructions over the radio to try and nurse the car back. Having lost all his oil, Sainz tried filling the engine with brake fluid in a desperate attempt to get his car going. But he was forced to accept defeat.

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