 Sainz is a two-time world champion |
Spain's Carlos Sainz will miss this weekend's Rally Australia, which was to have been his final WRC event. The 42-year-old crashed into a tree during Tuesday's reconnaissance for the season-ending rally and was taken to hospital in Perth with neck pains.
He is now wearing a neck brace to protect a damaged disc in his spine.
"I don't want to take any risks," he said. "The doctor told me that the slightest impact could have very serious consequences."
Sainz was already due to retire after Rally Australia but was eager to compete in one final race.
His withdrawal means his last rally was October's Rally of Catalonia.
"You never know what is going to happen," said Sainz.
"I didn't know that Catalonia would be my last rally. But I don't have any regrets because the party on the Sunday night was beautiful."
Over his record-breaking career, the Spaniard made 194 world championship starts and won two world titles.
His victory in Argentina this year was the 26th race win of his 18-year career, more than any other driver in the history of the championship.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
