Skoda confirm: Schwarz ok despite 'big' crash.

The Skoda Motorsport World Rally team has confirmed that Armin Schwarz has not been seriously injured following his 'big accident' on SS7 of the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo.

The German was flown to hospital in Nice following the crash, however doctors have since stated that he is ok, although he is somewhat shaken and bruised.

Speaking about the crash, which happened less than three kilometres from the end of SS7, his co-driver Klaus Wicha, explained: "The accident happened at a hairpin right near the end of the stage.

"We hit a stone wall on the inside of the corner and the car rolled before dropping two or three metres down over the edge of the road. I am fine but Armin hurt his left shoulder and went to hospital for precautionary checks."

Team boss, Martin Muehlmeier was pleased that Schwarz was ok.

"I am happy that Armin was not seriously hurt in what was clearly quite a big accident," he said.

Alex Bengue meanwhile in the sister Fabia gave the team something to smile about, after setting two fastest stage times.

His first scratch time came on SS6 when the stage was stopped following an accident involving Francois Duval. Bengue was then again at the head of the stage times for SS7 when it was interrupted to allow medical assistance following Schwarz's accident. He set the third fastest time on SS8 to lie eighth overall but then broke a wheel near the end of tonight's final stage.

He completed the stage but was unable to drive safely back to Monaco. He will restart tomorrow but with an additional time penalty, which drops him down the leader-board to eleventh.

"I made some small changes to stiffen the suspension this morning and the car was immediately much better balanced than yesterday," said Bengue. "I could be really confident on the dry roads and that is why I was able to be so much quicker. We had some good luck because on SS6 I got two punctures but thanks to Michelin's ATS mousse I was still able to score my first two scratch times at WRC level."

Muehlmeier was delighted with Bengue's form.

"Naturally I am also pleased with Alex's performance today which was better than any of us expected on his first event but this was exactly why we signed him to drive for us this season," he added. "It was unfortunate for him to have a problem at the end of the final stage when he was close to another good time but he will continue tomorrow and gain more experience."