Ford realistic on Gronholm's chances

The Finn heads to the season finale in Wales six points behind Sebastien Loeb, who will only need to finish fifth to secure the title if Gronholm wins Rally GB.

But while Wilson is aware of the situation his lead driver is facing, he also believes that they cannot give up hope, as Gronholm's countryman Kimi Raikkonen came from behind to win the Formula One world title in the final round.

"It's a big ask, it's certainly going to be very difficult," Wilson told the WRC website. "If both guys don't have problems, then in realistic terms it's not really going to be achievable.

"But I think we've seen on so many rallies, especially this year, that you never know what a rally is going to throw at you. It will be difficult, but it's not game over.

"I always said it would go down to the final rally. We are a little bit on the back foot now, but one Finn has come from seven points behind in Formula One.

Wilson added that Ford will be able to put all their efforts behind Gronholm, as they secured the manufacturers' championship last weekend in Ireland.

"The great thing is that we've got the manufacturers title sewn up, so we can have all the guys attacking 100 per cent," he said.

"And we've got some good back-up people with the likes of Jari-Matti (Latvala) and Henning (Solberg) in the Stobart team. It's not over yet."