Classified advertising: 0208 267 5355

motorsport-news.co.uk MAY 2 2012 3

for WRC title after Argentinian woe

HEADLINE NEWS

Photos: mcklein-imagedatabase.com

PUSH ON DISASTER

FORD MAKES A POINT

Petter Solberg’s sixth place in Argentina earned Ford its 150th consecutive rally in which it has scored manufacturers’points, a run that stretches all the way back to the start of 2002

1 ST

The points-scoring run began with Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae finishing third and fourth on the 2002 Monte Carlo Rally

50

TH

Toni Gardemeister helped the team reach the half-century with fifth place on Cyprus in 2005

10 0

TH

Ford’s one-two finish with Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala at the controls on RallyTurkey in 2008 marked 100 in a row the deciding factor. Despite the retirement, Wilson was delighted with Sordo’s effort. “He’s done a great job for the team considering the limited time he’s spent in the car,” Wilson said.

Hirvonen ruffles Loeb Meanwhile, on the other side of the service park, Mikko Hirvonen had his best showing yet in a Citroën DS3 WRC, and only the advent of team orders at the halfway point of the rally denied the Finn the opportunity to take on Loeb for the rally victory. Hirvonen had traded times with Loeb throughout Friday, and on Saturday morning Loeb briefly left the road as he desperately tried to retain his lead. At the following service halt, Citroën team chief Yves Matton told his drivers to hold station, which drew criticism from some quarters with so much of the rally still to run.

“After Portugal [where Hirvonen was excluded and Loeb crashed] and no points, I had to make a decision,” Matton said. “They were fighting. The speed was high and wewere speaking at midday [on Saturday] together and we said if we’re going like this, we’re not going to make it through without making mistakes. I take these decisions, some can be not happy with that but it’s important for us to aim at both championships and I knowwhat we have to do.”

Hirvonen was f ly ing in Ar ge ntina bef or e team or ders

15 0

TH

Solberg’s recovery to sixth after restarting has kept alive Ford’s run lasting over a decade

ALL THE STAGE ACTION FROM ARGENTINA PAGE 24

ALL THE STAGE ACTION FROM ARGENTINA