Reliability is Mitsubishi priority

Neither driver has much experience of the South American event and it is the first time that the latest Lancer has contested the rally. Reliability and points finishes are the aim.

Mitsubishi technical director Mario Fornaris explained the team's tactics. "Argentina is another different event for us and with the regulations stating no testing on long haul events, we are heading into the unknown with this car, unlike many of the other teams.

"We will go there with a standard set-up and try to improve the car for this surface during shakedown and the event, but our priority is to get the reliability to enable us to learn more. Gilles and Kristian have very little experience of the event so I guess it will be quite difficult for them, but the progress we made in Turkey was good and I hope we can build on that."

Panizzi is cautiously optimistic about his chances. "In Turkey we found some things which make the car more balanced and easier to drive," said the Frenchman. "I hope it also works on the difficult gravel surface in Argentina. Personally for me the rally in Argentina is not so well known, as I have not so much experience on this terrain, but after Turkey I would say points should be possible."

Sohlberg, who is sharing the team's second car this season with Dani Sola and Gigi Galli, didn't drive in Turkey, but he is keen to impress. "Having only done the recce I think it's quite hard to expect too much," said the young Finn, "but even so my objective is to get points for Mitsubishi."