M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson has praised P-G Andersson's 'sensible and quick' drive to seventh position on last weekend's Rally Bulgaria.
Andersson, competing on tarmac in a WRC-spec car for the first time in nearly two years, was under orders to bring the car to the finish in one piece over Sunday's final stages.
The last time Andersson drove a WRC car on tarmac was the 2008 Tour de Corse, where he finished 17th after mechanical issues intervened and forced him to SupeRally.
The man who Andersson replaced in the Stobart M-Sport Ford Team, Henning Solberg, drove his Fiesta S2000 to 10th place.
P-G's slowest time, ninth, was on the wet Saturday opening stage. Putting aside that, all his times were inside the Top 8. His quickest time was only 15 secs off Petter Solberg's fastest time on Sunday's first stage, Muhovo 1.
“I’m very pleased with the way things have gone. I know there is more speed to come, but all of the time on this rally I was learning more and more about the car. For me, it was about taking steps, when I got to one level, then it was time to move to the next level. It was a fantastic car to drive and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.” said the Swede.
Wilson praised P-G's drive in what was an older car: “His times were good. Considering that he hasn’t driven on tarmac since whenever - and knowing he was in an older car and didn’t have all the parts which [BP Ford Abu Dhabi drivers] Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala had, he did a good job.”
“I was particularly pleased on Saturday afternoon when he was really close to Mikko and Jari: six seconds off on one and seven or something like that behind on the other. This was good. He has acquitted himself very well and driven a mature rally. He told me he knows where the speed is, which is always a good thing for drivers to know how they can go faster.” said Wilson.
Wilson says that he is keeping an open mind about P-G in the future, but says nothing is confirmed.
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