Oliveira plans Saturday return

Daniel Oliveira will restart on day two in Argentina under SupeRally regulations following his exit on Friday.

The Brazil World Rally Team driver had high hopes of a point-scoring finish on the South American event but was in trouble within five kilometres of today’s opening stage when he picked up a puncture and charged into a rock, damaging his MINI John Cooper Works WRC in the process.

He was able to nurse his car back to the midday service in Villa Carlos Paz in 13th overall after losing more ground with his ill-handling machine on stages three and four. Following repairs at service Oliveira and co-driver Carlos Magalhaes enjoyed a trouble-free run through stage five only to stop on the next test with broken suspension.

“It has been a long day and with many situations that prevented us from giving ourselves fully on board the MINI John Cooper Works WRC,” said the 25-year-old Brazilian rookie. “On the first stage we hit a rock that damaged a suspension arm. In spite of this problem, we were able to complete the two remaining stages of the first loop. Then, on the final part of stage six the suspension collapsed and so did our chances to keep on racing.”