Suzuki frustrated by engine rules

Both Toni Gardemeister and PG Andersson retired from the Rally Mexico with engine failures within four stages of the start.

Under the 2008 rules, drivers cannot rejoin via the Superally system if they change an engine during the event. Teams must also use the same engine for several 'paired' rallies.

Suzuki team boss Nobuhiro Tajima believes this is making the new squad's task much harder.

"It's clear that we have an issue with the engines, but under the current engine linking regulations we are not permitted to change the engine during or in between the rallies to try and understand the problem," Tajima said.

"As a new team we want to and we need to improve: but sometimes this is not easy when the rules are not in your favour as a newcomer."

Andersson was running a competitive sixth when his engine faded in Friday morning's final stage. Teammate Gardemeister's engine was problematic from the start, and he lost 20 minutes before stopping in SS4.

"We didn't really get a chance to show what we were capable of today as from the first stage the engine was down on power and we just had to try and get through the opening loop," said Gardemeister.

"It was a strange problem as sometimes there was power and other times there wasn't.

"I've got every confidence that the team will find out what the problem is. We have to remember that the car is still very new, and we have a lot of work to do."

Andersson remained upbeat despite his early exit.

"The fact that we were sixth when we stopped just goes to show the potential of the whole SX4 WRC package," he said.

"We had a very good run through the morning's stages, although the suspension set-up was a little too hard. Considering that we had no testing before the event, I think it was really good.

"Unfortunately we then had an engine problem, and this is something that we need to sort out. Once that is done though, we will be in a good position. I'm quite confident that we could have taken points here."