The Ford squad’s hopes of a strong points haul were shattered yet again as water pump issues plagued their performance in a recent World Rally Championship event. Both Pierre-Louis Loubet and Ott Tanak faced setbacks due to these technical glitches, leading to their retirement and a significant delay for Tanak. This unexpected turn of events has left the team in a state of disappointment, as they were hopeful for a better outcome based on their previous success at the Acropolis Rally last year.
Unfortunately, Loubet’s rally came to an abrupt end when his Puma suddenly came to a halt during a road section before the second stage. With a mere completion of the super special on Thursday night, Loubet was unable to re-join the race. This was a major blow to Loubet, who had marked this rally as one where he believed he could excel. The team acknowledges their fault and apologizes for letting him down in such a crucial event.
Tanak’s Setback and Recovery
Tanak, on the other hand, faced a setback while sitting in fourth place. During a tyre fitting zone, he encountered a problem with the water pump. Although the issue was eventually resolved, it led to a delay of 22 minutes. As a result, Tanak was penalized with a time penalty of 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Despite this setback, Tanak managed to stage an impressive comeback on Friday afternoon by securing two stage wins. However, he is currently positioned in eighth place, trailing Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville by a significant 3 minutes and 34.5 seconds.
The water pump issues have undeniably disappointed the team, considering their previous success at the Acropolis Rally. Richard Millener, team principal, expressed his regret for Loubet’s misfortune and emphasized the team’s efforts to deliver the best performance. However, their current struggles have made it challenging to achieve the desired results. Millener understands Loubet’s decision to withdraw from the rest of the rally, acknowledging the disappointment it entails.
The team’s mechanics did their best to rectify the water pump problem during the tyre fitting zone. They successfully resolved a similar issue on Tanak’s car, allowing him to secure a few stage wins. Unfortunately, these minor victories do not align with their broader ambitions. Millener confirmed that both cars were equipped with brand new water pumps for the rally, indicating that these failures were unexpected and frustrating.
It is perplexing for the team to encounter issues with new parts that were installed in line with their standard processes. Millener admitted that the lack of a shakedown due to adverse weather conditions might have contributed to overlooking any potential issues. However, without inspecting the cars, it is difficult to determine the root cause of the problem. The team now faces the challenge of identifying the underlying issue and working towards a resolution.
Acknowledging the valid criticism and realizing their current position, the team remains committed to overcoming these challenges. Millener emphasizes that they will continue to put forth their best effort and accept any fair criticism. It is essential for them to retain their resilience and strive for improvement in order to overcome these technical hurdles.
The Ford squad’s water pump issues have plagued their performance in the recent World Rally Championship event, resulting in disappointment and setbacks for Pierre-Louis Loubet and Ott Tanak. These unexpected problems have forced Loubet into early retirement and delayed Tanak’s progress significantly. As the team reflects on these challenges, they acknowledge their role in the misfortune and strive to rectify the situation. Moving forward, they are determined to identify the root cause of the issues and work towards a more successful future in upcoming rallies.
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