Richard Burns still leads the WRC drivers’ championship, but Peugeot team boss Corrado Provera is disappointed that the French squad didn’t perform better in the Rally of Finland.
Richard Burns still leads the WRC drivers’ championship, but Peugeot team boss Corrado Provera is disappointed that the French squad didn’t perform better in the Rally of Finland.
Peugeot’s advantage over rivals Citroën in the WRC manufacturers’ title chase dwindled to just four points at the weekend and Burns’ third place in Finland – and the six points it brought – was the team’s lowest points haul on a rally since the season opener in Monte Carlo.
Harri Rovanpera crashed on the second stage of the event, dropping him out of contention right at the start. Marcus Gronholm, seeking his fourth successive win on home soil, had a broken wheel bearing while leading the rally, and Burns was deprived of fighting for the win when his 206 had a similar problem to Gronholm on Saturday evening.
“It’s clear that this rally has been totally disappointing for us,” said Provera. “We came here expected to score points over Citroën and as it is we gave points away. We simply haven’t been worthy of our role as reigning world champions.”
CARtoday.com reported on Monday that Subaru’s Petter Solberg pipped Burns to second place on the final day of the rally, but Provera said Burns’ third place was better than no points at all.
“We have handicapped ourselves on this event from the start, but our consolation is the performance of Richard Burns, who has been excellent throughout all three days,” said the Italian.
“Burns is fighting for his own drivers’ championship and our manufacturers’ championship at the same time and I know he did everything possible,” Provera added.