Gronholm: I was distracted.

Former world champion Marcus Gronholm has admitted that he was distracted by a light on his dashboard at the very point where he crashed out of third place on the Wales Rally GB.

The Finn had just finished second on the opening stage of the day, and had hoped to be challenging Petter Solberg for second place on stage two, when he was caught out on a new test in the Epynt military ranges.

"I was distracted by a warning light on my dashboard display, which meant that I wasn't concentrating properly," Gronholm said, a little sheepishly, "We came towards a normal left-hand corner, and I turned into it as usual, but behind a straw bale on the inside of the corner was a metal post that took the front wheel off. I was able to fix the car with some parts that we were carrying, but it took too long and now we are out of the rally. It's been a difficult event, and this is clearly not my season..."

Gronholm has decided not to restart the final leg of the rally under the trial of the new SupeRally system, but Daniel Carlsson - who 'retired' on the opening day - will once more take advantage of the new regulations. The young Swede, making his debut in the 307 WRC, is building up experience with the car and set some promising times today, having rejoined overnight.