Colin McRae has been placed on probation for the rest of this year's World Rally Championship.

The punishment comes following a reprimand for driving the wrong way on a stage during the recce for this weekend's Acropolis Rally.

The Scot escaped more severe punishment as co-driver Nicky Grist was able to persuade the stewards that they had been confused by signposts erected to help spectators gain access to the stage.

McRae and Grist entered the stage six kilometres after the start.

Instead of retracing their steps, they drove against the rally route to the stage start and then began their recce in the correct direction.

Closely monitored

The stewards told McRae and Grist their actions in the recce period of the seven remaining events of this year's championship will be closely monitored.

They have advised future stewards' panels that, should McRae offend again, he should be given a more severe penalty.

The implication is that McRae, who was unavailable for comment, would be excluded from starting an event should he commit a similar offence in the future.