The Ford squad once again faced a difficult start to a World Rally Championship event due to water pump issues that dashed the hopes of Pierre-Louis Loubet and Ott Tanak for a strong points haul. Loubet’s rally ended prematurely when his Puma came to a halt on a road section before stage two, while Tanak encountered a problem with a water pump during a tyre fitting zone, resulting in a significant penalty. These setbacks have undoubtedly been a bitter pill for the team, especially considering their strong performance at the Acropolis Rally last year.
Pierre-Louis Loubet had high hopes for this rally, as he believed it was one where he could showcase his strengths. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete even a single stage due to the water pump issue. Team director Richard Millener acknowledged the team’s failure in supporting Loubet and expressed his sincere apologies. Despite their best efforts, the team is currently struggling to find a solution to their problems, and it has been particularly challenging for Loubet, who was hoping for a positive result this weekend.
While Ott Tanak managed to continue in the rally after his water pump issue was resolved, he incurred a significant penalty of 3 minutes and 40 seconds due to leaving the tyre fitting zone late. This setback dropped him down the leaderboard and made his chances of a strong overall result unlikely. Nevertheless, Tanak showcased his talent by securing two stage wins on Friday afternoon, but this only served as a consolation as the team was hoping for more significant progress. Currently, Tanak sits in eighth place overall, trailing behind rally leader Thierry Neuville by 3 minutes and 34.5 seconds.
The team’s mechanics deserve recognition for their efforts in trying to resolve the issues plaguing the cars. They worked diligently in the tyre fitting zone to address the similar problem faced by Tanak’s car, and they were successful in doing so. While this led to a couple of stage wins for Tanak, it was not the ideal outcome from a broader perspective. The team is aware that these occasional victories cannot overshadow the ongoing challenges they face and the need for consistent improvement.
Team director Richard Millener confirmed that both cars were equipped with brand new water pumps for the rally, further highlighting the frustrating nature of the issues. The team follows the same processes for every rally, and while the lack of a shakedown due to the weather conditions may have contributed, it cannot be pinpointed as the sole reason for their ongoing struggles. The team now faces the task of identifying the cause of these problems, and they will need to thoroughly inspect the cars. The fact that these issues have occurred with brand new parts adds to the frustration experienced by the team.
Despite the setbacks they have faced, the Ford team remains determined and committed to their ongoing battle. They acknowledge the criticisms that come their way and accept that they must continue working to the best of their abilities. As Millener stated, there is no magic answer that will change their current position. However, the team will strive to improve and overcome these challenges, as they believe in their potential for success in the World Rally Championship.
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