Peugeot, Gronholm: We could have been second...

The Peugeot's of Markko Martin and Marcus Gronholm have finished fourth and fifth on the Monte Carlo Rally - but the team was unlucky to miss out on their best result in the Principality after a dramatic end to the event.

Gronholm was in a comfortable second place until this morning's first run over the Col de Turini, when he spun and ripped a front wheel off as a result of spectators throwing snow onto the stage.

Peugeot, Gronholm: We could have been second...

The Peugeot's of Markko Martin and Marcus Gronholm have finished fourth and fifth on the Monte Carlo Rally - but the team was unlucky to miss out on their best result in the Principality after a dramatic end to the event.

Gronholm was in a comfortable second place until this morning's first run over the Col de Turini, when he spun and ripped a front wheel off as a result of spectators throwing snow onto the stage.

He had to complete the road section back to service on three wheels, but some swift work from the Peugeot mechanics ensured that he remained in the rally.

"I came over the Col de Turini, which was damp but without snow or ice. I had a good feeling with the car and I was able to attack on the descent towards Le Moulinet. On the first tight right-hand corner, I found myself on a sheet of snow - which had been put there by spectators," explained the Finn.

"I couldn't avoid hitting a rock on the outside of the bend and damaging my car's front right suspension. I managed to get to the end of the stage and to service in Monaco on time - despite only having three wheels! Thankfully the team fixed my car and I was able to finish, but it should have been on the podium."

Martin meanwhile continued to learn more about his new 307 WRC today, despite questioning some of his tyre choices.

The Estonian took a cautious approach to be sure of making the finish, and ended up in a well-deserved fourth place.

"I've learnt a lot about the car on this event, and there are some things which I am going to change which will help me in the future," he said. "It's been quite difficult to get used to the dimensions of the 307 WRC, as it has a slightly different feeling to cars I have driven in the past.

"However, my initial impressions are very positive and I am happy to get to the end of the rally with no problems. Monte Carlo is always a very unpredictable event, so I was pleased to steer clear of trouble!"

Peugeot boss, Corrado Provera was some what annoyed to lose the runners-up spot - but could still see the 'silver lining in the cloud'.

"It's a result which carries some disappointment," he concluded, "as Marcus lost a fine second place, but there are also positive elements. We had no mechanical problems with the cars, which underlines the progress that we have made at Peugeot Sport.

"Marcus drove the best Monte Carlo Rally of his career, although his life was made more difficult by our relative lack of knowledge about our new Pirelli tyres. Markko, new both to Pirelli and the 307 WRC, was not at full confidence and so preferred to play safe and make sure of finishing his first rally with us. Now we head to Sweden: a rally which should suit us better."

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