Burns feels hard done by in Portugal

Richard Burns claimed the Rally of Portugal was not a fair race after he finished fourth.  

Four-time world champion Tommi Makinen won in a Mitsubishi.

But Burns, who won the event last year, believes his chances of victory ended on the first leg.

He said: "Running lower down the order on the opening leg cost us any chance of winning the event as the first three drivers on the road had far better conditions on which to drive.

"It wasn't a fair event because of that - but at least I've scored some points and there are still 11 rounds of the series to go."

Makinen celebrated his 100th rally by winning in Portugal and moving to the top of the world championship standings.

The Finn pipped Spain's Carlos Sainz, in a Ford Focus, with reigning world champion Marcus Gronholm of Finland driving his Peugeot into third place.

France's Francois Delecour (Ford Focus) was fifth and Scot Alistair McRae sixth in a Hyundai Accent.

"It's just an incredible feeling," Makinen said of his triumph. "It was such a difficult weekend and it is something special to have won again in my 100th rally."