Suzuki's second WRC outing with the all-new SX4 WRC car got off to a bit of difficult start on Thursday, when Sebastian Lindholm was sidelined by engine problems during the shakedown for the Wales Rally GB.
Although the Finn still managed to do several runs through the shakedown stage, he was quite a margin off the pace - his best effort more than 10 seconds shy of the likes of
Sebastien Loeb and Marcus Gronholm.
Despite the overheating issues though the SX4 WRC has now been re-prepared for today's start.
Speaking after the shakedown, Lindholm said he was satisfied with the SX4's performance, although he made no mention of the overheating issue.
"The car feels strong in every area, and there is clearly a lot of potential for the future," stated the 48-year-old. "My mission on this rally is to learn more and accumulate as many kilometres of testing as possible.
"I feel confident, but this weekend will be very difficult for everyone as the weather conditions are expected to be very bad. Still, this is typical of Rally GB and it helps our testing programme!"
Suzuki WRT team boss, Nobuhiro Tajima meanwhile was keen to point out again that this is very much a testing exercise ahead of the outfit's step-up to the ‘senior' level in 2008.
Indeed the team is trying out a number of different solutions on the car for the first time, with a new valve operating system, engine mapping, anti-lag system and differential settings.
“This is only our first gravel rally, so it is important that Sebastian uses his noted experience on this surface in order to assess our form compared to the opposition,” he added. “To make sure we do this, the priority is to finish the rally.
“Rally Great Britain is one of the most difficult events of the year, so it is sure to be a very big challenge for everyone in the team. After having made our first steps on asphalt in Corsica, understanding more about gravel is our next target this weekend,” he concluded.
