Panizzi happy with new Lancer
Frenchman Gilles Panizzi is delighted with the progress made during Mitsubishi's closed-season testing with its latest-specification Lancer WR05
The team struggled to perfect the car's predecessor and eventually withdrew from selected rallies in the final quarter of last year in order to work on the 2005 model.
"The team couldn't have done any more than they have," said Panizzi. "I've been very impressed with how hard everybody has worked. After the testing I have done and the shakedown today I feel happier in the car than I ever have done before. For me the important thing is that the Mitsubishi is now easy to drive."
The biggest changes that have been made to car are on its aero package and the engine. "We have worked on some of the electronic systems in the car which allows us to run mapping which takes everything closer to the extreme," said technical chief Mario Fornaris. "The response has been improved with changes to the turbo on the anti-lag and waste-gate.
"We are very happy with the new car."
In 2004 the Lancer's best result was the sixth place Panizzi scored in Monte Carlo 12 months ago. This rally marks the first event for Mitsubishi team leader Harri Rovanpera, who moved from Peugeot at the end of last season.
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