Wilson : Block and Räikkönen are great for the WRC

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson says the World Rally Championship can learn lessons from the way Ken Block’s Monster team promotes itself.

Wilson has been working with the American in his first season at the highest level and he says he’s been impressed with Block’s commitment on and off the stages.

“I definitely think there are lessons to be learned from Ken and the way he and Monster approach everything,” said Wilson. “Look at the promotion, it’s just incredible. In France, there were thousands of people in the service park and the ones we had standing in front of our service area were all shouting for Ken, it was amazing.

“How many hits has he had for his latest Gymkhana video? It’s around 15 million or something like that, that’s incredible. He’s not known as a rally driver, he’s a gymkhana driver – but look at the good it’s doing for the WRC.”

Wilson added that he could see similar value in what Block’s energy drink WRC rival Kimi Räikkönen was doing for the sport.

“Some people have said they can’t see the value in what Kimi is doing,” said Wilson. “Well, for me, he’s brought great value in the WRC. Having him in the sport has raised the profile, created a stir and a story this season. Okay, he’s still learning, but there’s a heck of a lot more to come from him – and he’s still Kimi Räikkönen.”

Source: MaxRally

Rally Sweden day one: Manufacturer team reaction

BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team principal, Malcolm Wilson on...

Mikko Hirvonen's leading performance: "I'm very happy. Everybody likes to be leading from the start, but Mikko made some small changes to his set up on SS4 and from then on he's had good confidence. We were a little bit worried that he might have destroyed the tyres by being maybe a bit aggressive, but now we’re starting to see the benefit of his experience - he just kept on pushing to get as far ahead as he could."

Jari-Matti Latvala's contribution: "He's done a good job. On the second stage this afternoon we saw what he's really capable of, but I think he pushed a little too hard there and did some damage to the tyres. But when you see those sorts of times you see he's got the potential."

Citroen Total World Rally Team director, Olivier Quesnel on...

Sebastien Loeb's cautious approach to tyre wear: "This afternoon we thought we should take care of the tyres, and maybe Seb didn't push enough, but this is it, and Mikko was right to push."
Dani Sordo and Sebastien Ogier: "Dani is doing a very good rally, but I must mention Sebastien Ogier too. This is his first time in Sweden and only his second time on snow. What he's done here is amazing."

Kimi Raikkonen's learning curve: "Kimi is learning. He went off the road but as I've said before we have to give Kimi time to learn. We have to wait until the middle of the season. In the second half he should be okay, but this is his first WRC rally with us. Everybody is very fast and Sweden is very complicated. For me there is no problem. He just has to learn."

Source: WRC.com