Ford boss Wilson stays positive
Ford boss Malcolm Wilson has urged his team not to get downcast after both Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen retired from the Rally Argentina late on day one
Gronholm was leading the rally when a transmission glitch stopped him in SS8.
His retirement moved Hirvonen up to third, but then the second Ford struck engine problems on the road section before the next stage. The team discovered a bent valve, which will prevent Hirvonen from rejoining under SupeRally regulations. However, Wilson expects Gronholm to be able to start leg two, albeit in a distant 20th position.
"We need to (restart) because we need the kilometres for testing," Wilson told autosport.com.
Ford has been hit by several first day disasters this season, with one or both drivers either hitting mechanical problems or making errors while well placed at a similar point in Sweden, Mexico and Catalunya.
"It is quite disappointing and the crew are quite downbeat," Wilson admitted. "But when you look at it, we've led five out of six rallies with the new car.
"That's a fantastic achievement and we mustn't lose sight of it."
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