Driver lacking, not the car, says ace Panizzi

Three-time Rallye Sanremo winner Gilles Panizzi has played down his chances of success on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier this week but insists his pessimism has nothing to do with the level of competitiveness of his car compared to the IRC-pacesetting Skoda Fabia Super 2000.

Panizzi, who last week inked a deal to drive a PROTON Satria Neo S2000 on the asphalt event, fears his lack of recent competition experience will hold him back.

“The car was actually above the level that I thought it would be with a lot of potential,” said the 45-year-old legend after a two-day test in Italy earlier this week. “To be honest, I’m not expecting so much from my side. It’s been two years since I’ve driven and I’m going to be surrounded by drivers who are much younger than me and with much more recent experience. If we can finish the rally and see a consistent improvement in the car and the stage times over the course of the event, then that will be a good achievement.”