2006 Fiesta Sporting Trophy International champion Alessandro Bettega impressed on his debut outing in a World Rally Car last weekend in Corsica.

The Italian set a multitude of top-ten stage times in his Ford Focus RS WRC06 and despite retiring from the opening leg, still managed to finish eleventh overall.

Prior to his retirement on the 16.6 kilometre Belvedere-Bocca Albitrina the 26-year-old was running ninth and hunting down the final drivers' points' paying position.

“For me, this was one of my best events by far,” he reflected. “We had so much expectation at the start and I just wanted to drive at a comfortable pace; I wasn't pushing hard.

“It was a shame about our problem on Friday but my times on all three days have really pleased me and to finish eleventh overall is a fantastic personal result for myself and Simone [Scattolin – my co-driver].

“There are many people that have helped make this opportunity possible for me and I must thank Malcolm Wilson, John Steele and everyone at M-Sport for making me feel so welcome within their team. I must also offer my thanks to Walter at my team, TRT La Scuderia, for his support throughout this season and for this event.”

Ford / M-Sport boss, Malcolm Wilson meanwhile was clearly impressed with the Italian, who finished tenth out of the 24 entered world rally cars.

“This has been a great drive by Alessandro and he has shown that the experience gained in the Fiesta ST in 2006 has provided a great basis for the step up into a world rally car,” Wilson Sr added.

“He drove with his head and put in a very solid performance and impressed many people with his stage times over all three days. We look forward to seeing how future generations of Fiesta graduates perform.”

Bettega's drive on the Tour de Corse was made possible thanks to his win in last year's Fiesta SportingTrophy International series.