puncture

But a puncture on Hadjar's car gave Alonso one of those places back and seventh is still a strong result for the veteran Spaniard in his car.

The vessel was now surrounded on all sides by small islands of ice capable of puncturing the hull.

Tyre supplier Pirelli, fearing punctures, has imposed a mandatory maximum of 25 laps usage on any set of tyres, which makes the race a two pit-stop strategy at least.

But the spat punctures any suggestion that the Budget will end grumps and strops inside the party.

Evans had arrived in Jeddah leading the standings by three points, but his hopes of finally ascending to the WRC throne after finishing runner-up four times were scuppered by a costly puncture on Friday.