The Scotsman with the reputation as the fastest and most thrilling driver in the business had hoped to go out with a

The Scotsman with the reputation as the fastest and most thrilling driver in the business had hoped to go out with a flamboyant flourish. The Estonian said: “We drove for 20 kilometres with no water. It’s unfortunate it finished like this.”Sainz was in distinguished company. Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm, the outgoing champion, hit a log on the same stage, lost 14 minutes and pulled out of the rally.So did Markko Martin after his Ford Focus overheated. It was a long, long left – fifth or sixth gear, tightening into a third I didn’t even try to brake I was in fifth and went straight on. He and his co-driver, Marc Marti, attempted emergency repairs to the equipment before rushing back into the fray.Sainz said: “I wasn’t concentrating I just didn’t hear what Marc said. He missed his braking point, claiming his concentration had been broken by an earlier incident when his in-car camera sparked.

The Norwegian did have a scare late in the day, a tyre blow-out costing him perhaps 15 seconds.Solberg said: “I guess it’s all looking good at the moment. But it would have been even better if I hadn’t had that puncture.”Sainz’s hopes of a third championship expired when he went off in the morning. I have spoken to Claude Satinet [director general of Citro? and it is clear what we have to do.''The command from on high means Loeb is almost certainly relying on a mistake or problem on Solberg's part. I understand the team's position, but for me it is difficult to make this compromise.''Loeb will have the consolation of a bigger bonus if Citro?secure the manufacturers' championship and his team argue their strategy makes commercial sense. Citro? like Peugeot and the rest, are here to sell cars.Guy Frequelin, Citro?s team principal, said: "Maybe this is not the best for the sport, for him [Loeb] or the fight, but we cannot take the risk for the manufacturer’s title. Sebastien Loeb reined in his world rally championship ambitions on the orders of his team here yesterday.

Loeb, quickest on the first two stages, dutifully backed off and allowed Solberg to edge in front.Loeb, in his first full championship season, said: “After Sainz went out I was told I had to slow down. You don’t get many of those all year.”Seve Trophy (Second day): Continental Europe 31/2 Great Britain and Ireland 61/2.. Fourballs (Continental names first); S Garcia and T Bjorn lost to L Westwood and D Howell 5 and 3, R Jacquelin and A Cejka bt Paul Lawrie and C Montgomerie 2 and 1, M Angel Jimenez and I Garrido lost to P Casey and B Davis 2 holes, F Jacobson and N Fasth bt P Harrington and P Price 1 hole, JM Olazabal and S Ballesteros lost to I Poulter and J Rose 3 and 1. Fourballs result: Continental Europe 2 Great Britain and Ireland 3..