Ford World Rally boss Malcolm Wilson says the team will bounce back from the mechanical issues which he says cost Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala the chance of victory at Rally Japan.
Both Fords were in the thick of the scrap for victory on the Sapporo-based event until Latvala's Focus broke a driveshaft and Hirvonen suffered a partial hydraulic pump failure on the final morning. Both problems were the first time they had occurred on the Focus.
"It was really disappointing for us all," said Wilson. "Both of the guys had driven exceptionally, and we deserved more. It's the way it goes sometimes, it's been a tough season. In fact, this hasn't been our year, even though we had an exceptional start to the season. But we will bounce back."