Colin McRae was the big loser yesterday after rallying's governing body ruled his Ford Focus, which earned him third place in the Monte Carlo rally last month, was illegal.

FIA said in Paris it accepted that Ford had not broken the rules intentionally, but that the results of the Monte Carlo event should be reviewed, thus stripping the Scot of his points.

The car's water pump, it said, broke the rules.

McRae, a former world champion and contender for this year's title, won four points for his finish behind Finland's Tommi Makinen in the first race of the season.

His Ford team-mate, Simon Jean-Joseph of France, finished outside the points.

The Fords were allowed to take part in the Monte Carlo race after appealing against the initial ruling, but were warned they could lose any points they won if FIA ruled against the car.

McRae joined Ford this season.