New Peugeot boss Jean-Pierre Nicolas has warned Marcus Gronholm that it is vital he doesn𒁃't repeat his Swedish 'misadventures' in Mexico next weekend, as the team want to close the gap to Ford, who currently led the Constructors' championship by three points.

Asked about the Finn's start to year, Nicolas, who haﷺs replaced Corrado Provera, replied rather cry꧟ptically that 'Marcus has been Marcus'.

"He has twice challenged for outright victo🐽ry but his efforts have not been rewarded," he continued.

"Is that down to bad luck or excessive generosity? Whatever - now these joker cards have been pla♚yed so soon, he and we know how important it will be to📖 make sure we score points from now on."

Markko Martin meanwhile got the thumbs up - especially after having taken𒁏 his first podium for the team at the Swedish Rally.

"Markko has performed in♑telligently and has not attempted to go beyond what he feels he is capable of achieving at this point in the season," added Nicolas.

"Even so, he has scored some valuable Manufacturers' points for the teaꦓm and is himself second in the Drivers' championship, just one point ꦍbehind the leader.

"Over and above this bead-counting analysis, he has progressed too in terms of his understanding of the car. We already know in which direc🍷tion we need to work so that, with the help of the engineers, he can drive in total confidence and, therefore, at the very top.

"He is a very surprising person. He comes across as shy, 𝄹discreet, distant even, but he comes completely out of his reserve the instant he feels the need. He is very attentive in his relationship with the technicians who say they have received very good feedback from him.

"We chose him for his speed, but al🀅so for his skills on the technical side and he seems to be living entirely up to our expec🎃tations."