Oliveira told to gain Sanremo experience

Team boss Manfred Stohl has urged his young driver Daniel Oliveira to accumulate stage kilometres rather than chasing a strong overall finish on Rallye Sanremo, which gets underway later today.

Oliviera, who will be partnered by Luiz Miranda in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for the first time to form an all-Brazilian crew, is seeded 26th for the asphalt event.

Stohl has driven in Sanremo on several occasions and has passed on his knowledge to Oliveira who will be at the wheel of his regular Peugeot 207 Super 2000.

“The most important thing for Daniel is not the position but the kilometres,” said Stohl. “He needs to get the experience so must get to the finish by avoiding making mistakes like taking cuts and getting punctures. His times are not important and he must ignore the strong competition.”

Oliveira prepared for Rallye Sanremo with a short test on Tuesday. Co-driver Miranda, who partners Oliveira on Argentine championship rallies, replaces Spaniard Carlos del Barrio.

Stohl, meanwhile, won’t be in Sanremo this week. Instead he is back in his native Austria contesting the penultimate round of the national championship in his compressed natural gas-powered Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer.