Wilson backs Focus reliability

Ford rally team boss Malcolm Wilson says that his M-Sport operation will go into the Monte Carlo Rally with more reliability and no less speed than it did last year. Markko Martin launches his title bid in a little over two weeks.

Jan 8, 2004, 11:54 AM

"This winter has been focussed on getting the reliability 100 percent," Wilson told AUTOSPORT International. "Last year we introduced the new Focus and immediately showed we could challenge for victory on every rally. But we had niggling teething problems."

"With 16 events on this year's championship, reliability will be key and that's what we've worked on. Not to say our development has stood still. We'll introduce an updated Focus in New Zealand again, which will see a performance boost. But it won't be as radical as last year."

Martin's co-driver Michael Park was also on the stage, and backed up his boss's hopes for a championship title.

"Anything less will be a disappointment to Ford. Last year we showed we could be competitive everywhere. The new Mille Pistes recce system will be a challenge though, and we'll really need to be on the ball."