Maurin plans fight back on day two

Julien Maurin has vowed to hit back when he restarts Sata Rallye Açores under SupeRally regulations on Friday morning.

The Frenchman was eighth overall after the opening stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier but was forced to stop on the subsequent road section when his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 developed a water leak.

“We had a problem with the water pump so we stopped before we did any big damage,” said Maurin, who is back competing in the Azores after a one-year gap. “Everything is good now with the car – tomorrow you should watch my stage times because I will be strong.”

Before the start, Maurin explained that he had worked closely with tyre firm Michelin to secure covers with significant puncture resistance. “I am 100 per cent happy with the car and the tyres on gravel,” he said.