Panizzi unhappy with Peugeot progress

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.

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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