Peugeot content with new 208 T16 rally car's debut in Italy
Peugeot Sport director Bruno Famin says the 208 T16's podium debut in Italy last weekend bodes well for the car's future
Peugeot Italy driver Paolo Andreucci guided the all-new R5 machine to third place on the Rally Il Ciocco, posting four fastest times on the way.
"It is a good result," said Famin. "First race and the first podium for the car.
"The Italian team [Racing Lions] discovered the car. They didn't have technical problems and it is not easy to learn everything, so we are happy.
"It is a good thing for the future."
Andreucci added that he had achieved his target on the Tuscan event.
"I'm very happy," he said.
"Given that we only picked up the car on Tuesday morning, I'd say that to come third just a few days later is a great achievement.
"The only objective that we set ourselves was to concentrate on reliability and adapt ourselves as well as possible to the car, rather than go looking for pure performance.
"I'd say that we've succeeded, kilometre by kilometre and stage by stage."
The 208 T16 is set to make its top-level debut on the next round of the European Rally Championship, the Acropolis Rally, at the end of the month.
Works drivers Craig Breen and Kevin Abbring's opposition will include factory Skoda man Esapekka Lappi and Monte Carlo Rally star Bryan Bouffier in a Citroen.
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