Solberg and Räikkönen were in the process of warming up their MICHELIN tyres before the start of the third stage, Pays d’Ormont. The Finn’s Citroën DS3 WRC was running at #8 and he was due to start ahead of the Norwegian, in Ford #15 – it was logical, therefore, that Räikkönen should try to get ahead before the time control.

Räikkönen consequently put his foot down in an attempt to pass, but did so just as Solberg hit the brakes (Henning was warming those up, too). The Citroën ran into the back of the Ford and ended its rally in an adjacent ditch, its front right suspension broken.

Kimi could have restarted under SupeRally regulations, but preferred instead to return home to Switzerland. After withdrawing from Rally Australia, his ICE1 Racing team was excluded from the World Championship for Manufacturers, although Kimi is still entered for the forthcoming events in Spain and Britain. Elsewhere, meanwhile, the Finn is in close talks with the Williams team about a potential return to F1 in 2012.

citroën DS3 WRC, ES3, Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Henning Solberg, Kimi Raikkonen, Rallye de France Alsace 2011