Lapworth hints at future Prodrive, Gronholm outings

David Lapworth has hinted that both Prodrive and Marcus Gronholm could reappear in the World Rally Championship in the 'not too distant future' after an encouraging run on the Rally Portugal.

Former Peugeot and Ford driver Gronholm was lured out of retirement to compete in the one-off event for Prodrive, driving a Subaru Impreza backed by the Portuguese tourism board.

Although the rally ended prematurely with a roll on SS7, fourth at the end of the first day hinted how quick Gronholm could be should he have had more time behind the wheel of the largely untested car.

Furthermore, despite the loss of factory backing, Gronholm's form on day one was arguably the most competitive performance against the Ford and Citroens for the largely maligned Subaru since its introduction a year ago.

With that in mind, Prodrive team principal Lapworth considers the Rally Portugal as 'unfinished business' and is already planning a return to the WRC again this year.

"Accidents happen in rallying, but that doesn't make it any easier to take," he said. "Marcus had shown that we could compete on the same pace as the leading drivers yesterday and, with our road position today, we were hoping to start reeling in the cars ahead of us.

"I see Portugal as unfinished business for Prodrive and I hope that we will see Marcus back in the Impreza in the not too distant future."