I wasn't concentrating, says Gronholm.

Double World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm has shouldered full responsibility for his rally-ending roll on SS10.

The Finn, who led Markko Martin by over one minute prior to the start of the stage, accepted that his concentration waned while he struggled with a minor hydraulic problem which forced him to use the manual gearshift rather than the steering-wheel mounted paddles.

"It was my mistake," said Gronholm. "I was not concentrating. I had a problem with a hydraulic system and wasn't using the shift on the steering-wheel, and just wasn't concentrating on driving.

"I went a little too fast into the corner, which was in a tarmac section. Jani Passonen who came after me did the same thing at the same place and came to rest just five metres from my car.

"Maybe the tarmac played a part because there was a lot of mud, but it was stupid mistake as I was not in a hurry."

His retirement means that the chance to equal Didier Auriol's benchmark of six WRC victories in a single season has gone, but at least the Finn has the consolation of winning the World Rally Championship, a feat which eluded Auriol in his record season!