Richard Burns profile

A team spokeswoman said Burns, the 2001 champion with Subaru, was taken ill while travelling by car from London to Cardiff on Sunday evening and spent the night in Newport hospital.

"His condition is not serious. However, doctors do want to carry out further tests," the team said.

"On the advice of doctors, Richard will not be taking part in this weekend's Rally Britain."

Burns has been involved in a close battle for the title and is five points behind co-leaders Sebastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz and four behind Petter Solberg.

I thought this year would have a sting in the tail, but I wasn't prepared for this Richard Burns' co-driver Robert Reid

Burns, 32, has not won a rally since he joined Peugeot at the beginning of 2002.

And the Subaru-bound driver's absence in Wales brings his career with the team to a premature end, as well as his hopes of a second world title.

Burns' co-driver Robert Reid said: "The doctors have basically told Richard not to do the rally. He's having more tests done today, but he's in good form considering the circumstances.

"Obviously he's hugely disappointed about the whole thing. I thought this year would have a sting in the tail, but I wasn't quite prepared for this."

Peugeot asked world governing body the FIA for authorisation to replace Burns and Reid with Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets.

The rally begins on Wednesday and concludes on Sunday.