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Kimi Raikkonen's Ice 1 Racing team has been excluded from the classification of the World Rally Championship for not contesting this week's Rally Australia.

The former Formula 1 world champion elected not to travel to Coffs Harbour for the 10th round of the WRC and, once the event got underway last night, the stewards of the meeting made their decision - which will cost Raikkonen €16,200 (£14,000).

The officials' statement said: "Having considered the provisions of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship Sporting Regulations and specifically article 7.3.8, the stewards decide to require the team Ice 1 Racing to pay the entry fee to the organisers of the 2011 Rally Australia, to pay the FIA a fine equal to the amount of the registration fee being €16,000 to exclude Ice1 Racing from the classification of the championship."

Raikkonen's Ice1 Racing team is classified as a WRC Team and, as such, is bound to compete in the rallies nominated at the start of the season. Raikkonen had to nominate seven events, two of which had to be outside of Europe. He competed in Jordan earlier this year, but failing to make the start in Australia contravened the regulations.

The Finn had already contested six WRC rounds this season and was holding eighth place with 34 points. Raikkonen will be permitted to enter any of the remaining three rallies he wants to, but Ice 1 will not be included in the end of season classification.

In Raikkonen's absence, the stewards' decision was accepted by team manager Benoit Nogier.