Motorsport Italia keen to justify MINI’s faith

Bruno de Pianto, head of the Motorsport Italia team that runs the WRC Team MINI Portugal programme, says he hopes the result of Rally Sweden helps justify MINI’s faith in the outfit.

As part of the reorganisation of MINI’s involvement in the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia, Motorsport Italia’s Armindo Araujo and Paulo Nobre gained MINI backing to run under the WRC Team MINI Portugal banner.

De Pianto said getting Araujo to the finish in 15th in the unfamiliar snowy conditions of Sweden was a good start to the relationship.

"We are very proud of the confidence MINI has shown in Motorsport Italia by nominating us as their manufacturer entry this season and we hope that having WRC Team MINI Portugal’s number one driver Armindo Araujo successfully reach the finish reinforces this faith and support," he said.

"It was never going to be an easy undertaking on MINI’s first full snow rally in the WRC, but everyone in the team from engineers and mechanics through to the crews themselves gave it everything they had."

The team boss hopes Mexico next month will bring another step forward.

"Now we are already looking ahead to Mexico - a new climate, a new challenge and a new experience as we tackle our first long haul together with MINI," he said.