The M-Sport boss, Malcolm Wilson, says that the victory of Rally Sweden is down to Ott Tanak's efforts and not to his team admitting that he did not expect this result.
Ott Tanak claimed his first victory of the season in Sweden last weekend despite the fact that he set the fastest time only in one of 18 stages and finished ahead of Hyundai duo. The only serious problem he faced was when the front left tyre delaminated in Stage 14, but he kept his first place as this incident happened near the end of SS14 which means that he did not lose so much time.
M-Sport Ford returned back to winning days with the Estonian as the last time the team secured the top place of the podium was at Rallye Monte Carlo last year where Sebastien Loeb won the first rally of the hybrid era. At the end of Rally Sweden, M-Sport remains third overall on manufacturers' championship, but Ott Tanak will open the road at Rally Mexico next month as he is the leading driver on the championship.
"It’s just great to be back on the top step of the podium", Wilson said.
"I never doubted the ability and the car and the team and everything.
"But I have to say we’ve probably come here not expecting to get this result.
"I know we’ve still got work to do.
"We know that we can improve the car more to suit Ott’s liking, so at the end of the day this rally is down to him.
"We haven’t been the fastest car, but his experience, his ability, it’s him that’s done the job for us.
"OK, the guys have done a great job, but it’s Ott Tänak that’s won this rally".
Source: DirtFish.com
Photo Credits: M-Sport
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