Thank you for your answers!
In the meantime, I found the 2012 WRC Sporting Regulations: http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public...Appendices.pdf
I quote:
"45.3 START ORDER OF THE RALLY

45.3.1 P1 and P2 drivers
On gravel rallies, P1 and P2 drivers shall start the first section of the rally according to the position they
have chosen following the qualifying stage.
On asphalt rallies, P1 and P2 drivers shall start the first section of the rally in the order of the provisional
classification of the World Rally Championship for Drivers for the current year. For the first round of the
Championship, the start order shall be that of the final classification of the previous year. The FIA shall
decide the order of drivers who have not been classified in the previous World Rally Championship for
Drivers.
45.3.2 P3 drivers
P3 drivers shall start the first section of the rally in the order of the provisional classification of their
respective Championships for the current year. For the first round of the Championship, the start order
shall be that of the final classification of the previous year. The FIA shall decide the order of drivers who
have not been classified in the previous year.
45.3.3 Other drivers
All other drivers shall start as recommended by the organiser.

45.4 START ORDER FOR SUBSEQUENT DAYS
45.4.1 The start order for the first section on subsequent days shall be based on the classification at the
finish of the final special stage of the previous day excluding super special stages if run at the end of the
day.
45.4.2 P1 and P2 drivers
On gravel rallies, P1 and P2 drivers will restart as a merged group in reverse order according to their
provisional overall classification.
On asphalt rallies, P1 and P2 drivers shall normally restart as a merged group in the order of their
provisional overall classification.
45.4.3 P3 drivers and all other drivers
P3 drivers and all other drivers shall normally restart as a merged group after the P1 and P2 drivers in the
order of their provisional classification."