Bernardi to miss Corsica.

Nicolas Bernardi will miss the Rallye de France-Tour de Corse, despite having been included on the provisional entry list.

Bernardi was due to take part with the OMV Peugeot Norway WRT, driving a second Peugeot 307 WRC, alongside Manfred Stohl. However it appears the Frenchman has been unable to secure the drive, probably due to financial reasons, although that has not been confirmed.

Bernardi took part in two WRC events for the works Peugeot team last season, drafted in after Markko Martin missed the final few events, following his accident on the Rally GB, which claimed the life of his co-driver, Michael Park. Bernardi finished in the points on both rounds - eighth in Corsica and sixth in Catalunya. Bernardi, who was second in the JWRC in 2004, won the French Rally Championship last year.

Speaking to his personal website, prior to the news that he won't take part on his home event in the WRC, he said: "It's difficult to get a drive in the WRC, as the costs are very high. But it is important that I race in the WRC. Having taken part in some events of the WRC last year it opened some doors and I was contacted by Mitsubishi at the end of last season. Their withdrawal from the championship though made their proposals to me null and void.

"For me it seems more important to do the WRC, even on only one event, than to take part in the entirety of the French Championship. This is why I have been working hard to get the budget necessary for Corsica. It is a world event and I will use a car I know well. Last year on the same event, I was close to the leaders. I hope to do something similar next month."

With Bernardi no longer due to compete, OMV will now be represented in France by just Stohl and Philippe Roux, the latter using a Peugeot 206 WRC, not the 307. Furthermore rumours that Gigi Galli might replace Bernardi appear unfounded.

"Neither Bernardi nor Galli are fixed for Corsica for the OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team," an OMV team spokesperson told Crash.net. "It is certain that Bernardi isn't able to drive this rally and also that Galli is sponsored by Pirelli while our team is co-operating with BFGoodrich."