Mitsubishi admit Lancer needs time

The Japanese squad, winners of the rally for the last seven years, introduced the new diesel-powered Lancer this year to replace their successful petrol-powered Pajero.

Serieys had said before the start of the rally that the new car was not a risk, but the team's results so far have proved differently.

Hiroshi Masuoka retired with mechanical problems on the second day, and nine-time winner and reigning Dakar champion Stephane Peterhansel was forced out in yesterday's stage after losing his engine.

Frenchman Luc Alphand also retired when his co-driver got sick.

That has left Mitsubishi with just one works car in the rally, that of Joan Roma, who lies in fourth place nearly half an hour off the lead.

Serieys admitted after yesterday's stage that the diesel project still needs time.

"Even when we entered scrutineering in Buenos Aires I was not sure what would happen," he said.

"My feeling is clear. When we decided to enter the diesel category with the 'Racing Lancer', we knew that the project would be for the medium term - 2009-2011.

"When you see that Volkswagen and BMW have been at this project for six years to be where they are today, we can say that in the very short term period we have reached the performance, but there are still several areas where we need to work and improve.

"Since I took charge of the team in 2001, my focus has been to be competitive. 'Nani' is still in a good position and it is still possible for a competitor running alone to win the race.

"There is always only one winner. I hope he keeps a healthy car next week and we can take a podium finish or even a better place."

Technical director Thierry Viardot said he was not surprised by the team's problems.

"For sure, this has been a learning curve but this is part of Dakar," he said. "This is not a question of luck. This is a question of time and effort. It is not a surprise. We knew before we came that this rally would be difficult. We like difficult things. We have not enough experience with the new car and we made a mistake.

"Fifty per cent of me thinks that 'Nani' should try and reach the finish now and the other 50% of me says push as hard as possible to make it interesting. We know we have some capacity that we have not shown until now."

Rivals Volkswagen now look set to become the first Dakar winners with a diesel car, the German car maker occupying the first three positions in the overall standings.