Pug boss won't blame drivers for Monte disaster

All three works 206 WRCs retired on day one of the Monte. New recruit Didier Auriol ripped a wheel off on the third stage and was stopped from starting the next timed test, while Gilles Panizzi, a two-time winner for the team last season, crashed heavily on the same stage.

World Champion Marcus Gronholm had initiated Peugeot's triple nightmare when he retired with water pump failure on the day's second stage.

The two Frenchmen had been first and third respectively at the time, but Provera countered claims that the pair had been pushing too hard, too early.

"You can't blame them for pushing so hard," said Provera. "Last year, when he won Finland, Marcus was off the road many times, but he was lucky. This time our drivers were unlucky.

"Maybe they went a little bit too fast as they underwent huge pressure here in France," he added. "They both wanted to do well and show the spectators and fans that Peugeot was deserving of what had been achieved last year. They wanted to be proud of bringing in points, they tried, and they didn't succeed. But this is sport."

Peugeot also failed to score points on the 2000 Monte after a spate of engine problems at the start of day two, but went on to take the drivers' and makes' titles. With a sense of déjà vu, Provera says the team will now re-group for Sweden, starting February 9.

"Zero points doesn't mean zero motivation," he said. "We are all 100 per cent motivated, we are convinced that it's in our hands and Sweden will be something else."

Last year, Gronholm went on to win the Swedish Rally, putting his ultimately successful world title attack back on track.