Peugeot rally boss Corrado Provera says although Freddy Loix is to be replaced by Harri Rovanpera at the Mexican Rally, the French team will honour the Belgian’s 10-event contract.
Peugeot rally boss Corrado Provera says although Freddy Loix is to be replaced by Harri Rovanpera at the Mexican Rally, the French team will honour the Belgian’s 10-event contract. In effect, Loix could be offered an uprated WRC 206 for some rallies rather than the benchmark 307 as used by Marcus Gronholm.
CARtoday.com reported last week that Rovanpera, who Provera last year described as having a “mental imbalance in his mind”, was drafted by Peugeot to drive in the next rally.
Loix suffered a disappointing start to the 2004 season, and retired from last weekend’s Swedish Rally with engine problems. Peugeot said it was “taking advantage of being allowed to alternate the team in the second car entered by a manufacturer”.
“We have a rally-by-rally with Harri,” Provera said. “We still need Freddy, but he needs more experience. As far as tarmac is concerned, Marcus is good on tarmac, Harri is not, Freddy could be. We will be using this opportunity as the FIA rules permit.”
He stressed that Loix had originally been signed as a “third driver” and that Peugeot had been forced to alter its plans when the FIA subsequently changed the rules.
Peugeot might also bring in French drivers Bryan Bouffier or Cedric Robert for tarmac, or either of its semi-works world championship drivers, Miguel Campos and Nicolas Vouilloz. However, Provera moved to quell speculation that Peugeot might consider former WRC champion Colin McRae.
“We don’t have any type of contact with Colin. Nothing is impossible, but we give a chance to Harri and he knows the team. We hope he is back in a good mood. In tests, Harri is going very fast,” Provera added.