The Peugeot driver is speaking with event officials after having been accused of refuelling in an unauthorised area. If he is found guilty, it could cost him the lead of the rally.

Peugeot team director Bruno Famin, however, says that no breach of the rules took place.

“The refueling point exists in the road book. I do not understand why this situation has happened,” he said.

“We compete with the best sportsmanship.”

According to director of rival X-raid team Sven Quandt, the refuelling rules for Stage 8 were made clear to competitors in the driver’s briefing.

“The rule is very clear and easy to decide,” said Quandt.

“At the meeting it was said that there would be no refuelling. The rule says that.

“The point is clear 100 per cent. The stage includes link sections and a special stage and starts this morning and ends at the finish.

“The charging point in the road book was for motorcycles and quads, not cars.”

Additional reporting by Luis Ramirez