Panizzi unhappy with Peugeot progress
Asphalt ace Gilles Panizzi is concerned that he won't be able to repeat his 2002 winning form in the upcoming asphalt rallies because he claims the Peugeot 206 WRC is lagging behind on development
The Frenchman won last year in Sanremo, Corsica and Catalonia - events which will all be run this October - but he doesn't seem too confident of repeating that form.
"I've told Peugeot that the car hasn't progressed since last year," said Panizzi. "I think they're working too much on the new car [2004's 307]."
Peugeot team boss Corrado Provera was unimpressed by his driver's opinion. "Gilles should show how good he is on tarmac," said Provera. "On the two [2003] tarmac rallies, he didn't show anything."
"Panizzi can say what he wishes. The car is still a high performer. Maybe in some situations the Focus is slightly in front. What is incredible about this season is an incredible amount of human errors."
Asphalt specialist Panizzi's 2003 results on his favoured surface are a retirement in Monte Carlo and a 10th place on Rallye Deutschland. Panizzi already knows that he is not required by Peugeot in 2004 as he is ineligible to continue in his current third-driver role under the new regulations.
Inside Toyota’s new WRC dream factory where rally conquerers come to life
Toyota locked out the top four places in the World Rally Championship's recent Safari Rally Kenya in a clear indication of its GR Yaris Rally1 hybrid's pace and durability. Autosport was recently given a tour of the new factory where its cars are designed, tested and built, and it reveals much about the commitment of the Japanese marque to continued WRC success
Breen: Result in Ypres “important” after WRC form struggles
Craig Breen says he isn’t thinking about the pressure to arrest his World Rally Championship form, but admits a result at Ypres Rally Belgium this weekend will be important.
Solberg reveals unusual mental reset after WRC Finland shunt
World Rally Championship rookie Oliver Solberg embarked on 40 kilometre quad bike drive to reset his mindset for Ypres Rally Belgium following the disappointment of his early Rally Finland exit.
Neuville: Everything must be “on point” for Ypres WRC victory repeat
Rally Belgium favourite Thierry Neuville admits everything will need to be “on point” to be competitive when the World Rally Championship heads to his home event in Ypres this weekend.
Inside Toyota’s new WRC dream factory where rally conquerers come to life
Toyota locked out the top four places in the World Rally Championship's recent Safari Rally Kenya in a clear indication of its GR Yaris Rally1 hybrid's pace and durability. Autosport was recently given a tour of the new factory where its cars are designed, tested and built, and it reveals much about the commitment of the Japanese marque to continued WRC success
How Rovanpera has reignited Finland's rallying obsession
Finland may have a small population, but it has long enjoyed rallying success. Now that the nation has a new star to cheer in the form of Kalle Rovanpera, interest in the discipline is surging once again
How Tanak spoiled Rovanpera’s Finnish homecoming
Kalle Rovanpera and Toyota went into Rally Finland as overwhelming favourites but came away as runners-up to a resurgent Ott Tanak and Hyundai. While it may have dampened the homecoming party, it still moved the Finn closer to the ultimate World Rally Championship prize
Inside Hyundai’s F1-spec mobile WRC home
Hyundai is one of the World Rally Championship's big three, and has a brand-new travelling facility befitting of that status. The team invited Autosport for a behind-the-scenes look at its state-of-the-art HQ, which comes complete with all the bells and whistles you'd expect of a top Formula 1 outfit
How Rovanpera's latest Estonia masterclass left his WRC rivals stumped
After trailing Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans for much of Rally Estonia's opening day, WRC points leader Kalle Rovanpera took advantage of a change in the weather and never looked back afterwards. Winning for a fifth time this year at the scene of his 2021 breakthrough, and with a breathtaking powerstage bonus for good measure, his advantage is already looking difficult to topple
How the WRC captures its stunning visuals
Whether it’s the mountains of Monte Carlo, the snow of Sweden or the Kenya Savannah, the World Rally Championship is able to beam some of motorsport’s most spectacular footage to television screens while operating in the harshest of environments. Autosport went behind the scenes to unearth the secrets that make this logistical challenge possible
Why WRC's Safari tour is more than just a rally
OPINION: A source of national pride in Kenya, the Safari Rally is also a sporting, cultural and economic phenomenon. And as last weekend's World Rally Championship round reminded us, it's a key driver in establishing Africa’s place in world motorsport
How Rovanpera tamed a wild Safari Rally
The Safari Rally acted as a brutal test of driver and car resolve as multiple retirements opened the path for a historic Toyota 1-2-3-4 triumph, headed by star Kalle Rovanpera. But keeping things clean was only half of the challenge, as a well-timed charge when conditions worsened allowed the Finn to take control