Ford admits top five target for Petter Solberg's Rally Argentina recovery too ambitious

Solberg retired from the lead on the opening leg of the event on Friday and started Saturday's stages under Rally 2 regulations in 11th place - chasing fifth and 10 points. The five-minute gap between his Fiesta RS WRC and the similar car of Martin Prokop in fifth is now looking like a tall order going into the final day of the event.

Wilson said: "We had targeted fifth for Petter when he came back, but I think that's looking too optimistic. There's still a difficult day ahead, though, so we'll keep pushing on and see what happens."

The Cumbrian added that Solberg's string of fastest times through the second day was pleasing after a troubled day on Friday.

"This isn't what we came here to do, we came to win, but if we keep going the way we are then we're going to keep both manufacturers' and drivers' championships well and truly alive," said Wilson. "Everybody can see the car is quite clearly capable of winning."

Solberg added that the style of stages was not helping his fightback.

"There are too many fast sections," he said. "If there was more in the tight and twisty then I would be able to get more time back, but like this it's going to be tough."

Solberg will start Sunday's final leg in ninth place.