Panizzi delight at Lancer debut
Gilles Panizzi has pronounced himself delighted with the performance of his brand new Mitsubishi Lancer WRC on the Monte Carlo Rally at the weekend. The Frenchman finished sixth on the car's WRC debut
Panizzi scored three points for the Japanese manufacturer, benefiting from late suspension problems that afflicted WRC champion Petter Solberg after he went off the road on the penultimate stage.
"I am very happy," said Panizzi. "We did not make a lot of testing and of course we are all completely surprised we have not had more problems the first time the car has run in these conditions. To finish and score points is very good. I am confident with the team and the car, and this is the start of a new chapter in my motorsport career; I have found a good team."
Sven Quandt, MMSP's head of motorsport, added: "To have scored points like this, when the car is still so new and we also have new drivers, is quite exceptional; we are delighted with the team success in our first event back in the World Rally Championship. Two weekends ago we won the Dakar Rally and last weekend we made a successful return to the WRC. Points have been a great bonus at the start of this challenging year. These results demonstrate Mitsubishi's commitment to motorsport."
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