Gronholm no longer wants to see a No. 1 at Ford BP

The double world rally champion and recent retiree Marcus Gronholm acknowledged that Ford is in a difficult position at the moment.

His former team is indeed equipped with two very good drivers, both capable of winning a rally or even the 2008 championship. Nevertheless, the team would use a hierarchy, defining Mikko Hirvonen as No. 1 and Jari-Matti Latvala as No. 2.

This young Finnish driver won his first rally in February at the Swedish event. Neither the team, the speculators, nor even his teammate expected to see Latvala at such a celebration. Ford BP could thus easily prefer Mikko Hirvonen for the leader position of the team, this was without considering Latvala’s talent.

Today, Gronholm wants to give the drivers identical roles by bringing Hirvonen back to the same level as his young teammate: « Mikko [Hirvonen] is in a difficult position now. He thought he was number one, but Jari-Matti [Latvala] is largely at his level… »

« For now, I don’t think Malcolm [Wilson – team director] has anything to worry about. He can let the drivers manage themselves, but I don’t think keeping Hirvonen as the No. 1 driver is a good thing. They should be on the same level. »

« There is still one clear thing. I have retired, and the team really doesn’t need me anymore, » Gronholm joked.

Wilson also commented on being impressed by Latvala’s speed of adaptation. He also admits that his new recruit will still have to make some progress in the second half of the season.

« I expect a lot from him now that I have seen what he is capable of… and his weak point remains starting rallies. He struggles to gain the advantage or maintain it when he is leading. »