Robert Kubica was forced to retire from the Rallye Monte Carlo on Friday following two crashes that left his Ford Fiesta RS beyond repair.
Despite hinting in 2015 that he would not return to the FIA World Rally Championship this year, Kubica signed up for the opening round of the year in Monte Carlo.
However, the Pole’s hopes of making a strong start to his racing year ended on Friday after suffering a second crash that meant he was unable to continue in the rally.
“It’s very disappointing because we put a lot of effort in to being here,” Kubica explained to the official WRC website.
“The road was completely dry before we came to the icy section. We did two corners on the ice and it felt quite okay. Then we arrived at the right-hander and I was just a passenger. The anti-lag was pushing me and unfortunately we slid off the road and hit a tree with the front left.”
This retirement could mark Kubica’s final appearance in the WRC for the time being, with no plans firmed up beyond Monte Carlo.
The one-time grand prix winner said in 2015 that he was interested in returning to circuit racing in the future, relying that the injuries sustained in a rally accident in 2011 did not prevent him from doing so.