Grist: McRae will bounce back

McRae was leading the rough gravel Cypriot event until he rolled his Ford Focus twice on the final day of the rally. The 1995 world champion recovered to score a point in the drivers' championship but still languishes in the overall standings, 25 points behind series leader Marcus Gronholm.

But Grist says McRae is at his most dangerous when his back is to the wall.

"I think the experience has made Colin stronger than ever," said the Welshman. "If you were a team manager in that situation, no one bounces back stronger than Colin.

"Of course, what happened in Cyprus was a huge blow, but that makes made Colin even more determined now. He's an incredibly focused individual and he knows what he has to do."

McRae will start down the order on the first day of competition in Argentina thanks to his 10th place in the drivers' standings, and according to Grist, this lowly road position will make life extra difficult for the Ford pair.

"It's going to be very rough and very rutted - rougher than any Rally Argentina," explained Grist. "And the double usage of the stages will make it even worse. Potentially it could be horrendous."