Magalhães hampered by road position

Bruno Magalhães believes running 11th on the road has hit his chances of a strong finish on Rally Argentina, round three of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The Peugeot Portugal driver was handed the position by the event organisers based on his overall career experience.

Although he has fought his way up to eighth overall and into a points-paying place, he says the deteriorating stage conditions have slowed him down.

“It’s been very difficult and I don’t understand why I have this position,” said the Lisbon-based 29-year-old. “There has been a lot of mud on the road and it’s sandy, almost impossible to find the traction.”

Kris Meeke, currently second in a similar Peugeot 207 but running fifth on the road, said he has also suffered from his starting order.

“It’s not been ideal and Juho [Hänninen, the rally leader] has definitely had the advantage by being second on the road,” said Meeke.