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From GMM

Honda, to return to F1 in 2015 with McLaren, has begun to poach staff from rival manufacturers like Mercedes.

That is the claim of Mercedes' motor sport chief Toto Wolff, who said the Japanese marque's quest for talented and experienced F1 staff is "quite civilised" at the moment.

And Wolff told Germany's Auto Bild that Honda's moves to poach Mercedes engineers is "quite normal".

"We're operating in a competitive environment, and I think everyone is looking for the best engineers," he said.

"So it is not unexpected," Wolff insisted. "We know what contracts are running out, and if we want to keep them, we will work on new ones in good time."

Honda is coming back (Photo: WRi2)

Wolff refused to criticise the behaviour of McLaren's 2015 engine supplier, who have been absent from the grid since the disastrous final two seasons as a full works Honda team in 2007 and 2008.

"At the moment we have the feeling that it is quite civilised," said the Austrian, referring to Honda's efforts to poach engineers.

"We do not have the impression that our engineers are excessively concerned. However, this could happen. They (Honda) need to put their programme together bit by bit.

"I could imagine at some stage their efforts to court staff becoming more aggressive," added Wolff.

ALDO Racing's David Bensadoun and Patrick Beaulé have confirmed they are entering the 2014 Dakar, which will take them from Rosario, in Argentina, to Valparaiso, in Chili.

Their Desert Warrior 3 will support a special livery promoting the fight against sexual diseases under the "ALDO Fights Aids" slogan.

"The campaign kicks off at the Dakar Rally," explains Bensadoun, a important member of the ALDO shoe company and former Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) driver.

"ALDO has been actively involved in the fight against AIDS for almost 30 years and has raised more than $10 million for international (...) programs."

Rookies of the year in 2012, Bensadoun and Beaulé believe they can crack the top 30 in 2014.

"We have done the preparation work and have the tools and the team to do well. I feel it will pay back!"

Patrick Beaulé, David Bensadoun (Photo:ALDO Racing)

From GMM

Caterham is the first team in line to pass the FIA's mandatory static crash test with its all-new 2014 chassis.

That is the claim of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, adding that although many teams are now ready for the test, Caterham was the first in line and will be visited by the FIA officials at its UK headquarters next week.

The chequered flag of the 2013 season has not even been waved, but winter testing - to begin in late January - is already looming large, and teams are busier than ever to prepare for the sweeping rule changes for next season.

Caterham CT03 (Photo: WRi2)

Auto Motor und Sport said Williams, for instance, already has 1500 kilometres clocked up on its new 8-speed gearbox on a Toyota test facility in Cologne.

The Grove team's new technical boss Pat Symonds said: "Usually, with big rule changes, the one who delivers reliability over pure performance is the one who wins in the end."

Even Pirelli's tires are having to change, with Paul Hembery revealing that next year's fronts will weigh 350 grams more, while the rears will be 500 grams heavier.

"We are expecting wheelspin all the way to fifth or sixth gear," said the Briton.

That is one reason why the Italian marque is opting to be conservative with its 2014 designs, after three years of supplying controversially heavily-degrading tires.

But Hembery warned: "Perhaps we will go to the test in Bahrain with the thought that we have been very conservative, but it turns out that they are in fact aggressive."

The Québec town of Trois-Rivières is racing towards a spot on the 2014 World Rallycross Championship calendar, British magazine Autosport revealed.

And according to local newspaper L'Écho de Trois-Rivières, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) already met with race officials about the possibility of hosting a rallycross event at the famous Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R).

Trois-Rivières, Québec (Photo: Yannick Gougeon)

Rallycross is still an up and coming sport, but motorsport stars like Petter Solberg, Ken Block and Mattias Ekström would boost the GP3R's credentials on the international scene, should the FIA approve the project.

Organizers would then have to add a new gravel section to the existing layout of the distinctive street course.

The FIA is also pondering over a second event outside Europe. The sanctioning body plans to release the official 2014 schedule next month.

Model: 2008 to 2013 Scion xB

Vehicle Type: Compact Crossover

The Verdict: The big draws to the unique Scion xB are affordability, uniqueness and a high space-per-dollar ratio. For maximum confidence, opt for a full mechanical inspection at your local Toyota or Scion dealer ahead of purchase -- asking the technician to pay special attention to fluid levels and possible coolant leaks.

Price: Look for pricing from about $9,000 for a 2008 xB with some mileage on it, with asking prices in the mid-20s for a loaded, low-mileage unit. There's plenty of selection in the low- to mid-teens.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

History/Description: The second-generation Scion xB got a facelift and a new, North American-specific platform to help it better meet the needs of shoppers on this side of the pond. It was wider, longer, and heavier than the first-generation car that became famous for its “box on wheels” styling.

The second-generation xB's engine was up-sized to help enable adequate performance in light of the added portliness, too. The model's flexibility and unique looks remained, though fuel mileage suffered as a result of the added weight and power.

Power windows, mirrors, locks, and air conditioning were on board, and available options included a long list of cosmetic upgrades, satellite radio, a subwoofer, alloy wheels, mood lighting, and more.

For the second-generation xB, engineers specified a 2.4L 158-horsepower mill teamed with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

What Owners Like: Many Scion xB owners praise cargo and passenger room, visibility, ride comfort, utility, and mileage. Other owner-stated plusses include surprising handling and stability, as well as a powerful stereo system and overall looks.

What Owners Dislike: Owners typically gripe about a noisy engine, and some low-quality parts and materials throughout the cabin. Road noise and insufficient output from the dome light are commonly brought up, too.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Common Issues: Start your visit with a potential used Scion xB candidate looking for signs of durability-related issues. Owners reported several that pop up fairly frequently in forums, mainly relating to paint and wheels.

Curiously, many owners reported having to replace the windshield in the xB multiple times. Be sure to check the windshield thoroughly for signs of cracks or chips, and note that these may prevent the model in question from passing a mechanical safety inspection.

The charcoal canister, which filters gas vapors from the fuel system, can be expensive to replace if it goes bad. This may be evidenced by a “Check Engine” warning light. If said warning light is illuminated, because of this or any other issue, be sure to have a mechanic scan the computer system to see why.

All models should be inspected for signs of coolant leaks, which typically precede water pump failure. Look for puddles of leaked coolant beneath the vehicle, and locate the water pump and look for a pink, crusty residue or liquid around it. Ask a mechanic for help if you're unsure.

Finally, be sure to check the condition and level of the engine oil. Some owners report oil burning or oil consumption, though the issue seems to be centered on 2008 models only.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Belgian Audi Club Team WRT drivers Laurens Vanthoor and Stéphane Ortelli won this weekend's Baku World Challenge race, the finale of the 2013 FIA GT championship.

The pair's performance in the streets of the Azerbaijani capital also earned them the FIA GT title.

"When the team told me over the radio that I was leading the race, I was thinking that they were making a joke," admitted 22-year-old Vanthoor.

"My aim was (just) to bring the car home in one piece, as it was easy to make mistakes," the Belgian, who had not won a major title since topping the German F3 championship in 2009, added.

Podium in Baku (Photo: FIAGTSeries.com)

"It feels so fantastic!"

Vanthoor and Ortelli's WRT teammates René Rast and Niki Mayr-Melnhof helped secure the teams' championship with a win of their own in qualifying.

Alvaro Parente and Sébastien Loeb, of Loeb Racing, finished fourth.

McLaren protege Stoffel Vandoorne failed to reach the finish, sharing a McLaren MP4-12C with countryman Frédéric Vervisch.

From GMM

Nico Hulkenberg has signed a one-year deal to return to Force India next year, Germany's authoritative Auto Motor und Sport reports from Brazil.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said the 26-year-old German's deal includes 'options' beyond 2014, but the news would tie in with rumours Hulkenberg is first in line for a Ferrari drive should Fernando Alonso jump ship for 2015.

"The deal should be announced in the next few days, and maybe right after the Brazilian grand prix," said Schmidt.

It is expected that Hulkenberg's teammate next year will be Force India incumbent Adrian Sutil.

Nico Hulkenberg (Photo: Force India)

The German has been hinting for weeks that he is staying put at the Silverstone based team.

"I know it already but I will not say it," the smiling Sutil told the German broadcaster RTL at Interlagos.

"I have had a contract for months, and it is signed. I don't want to confirm it officially, because the team has a rule that you cannot publicly discuss contractual situations.

"But I will definitely be back next year," the 30-year-old revealed.

Complicating the issue for Force India, however, is the presence on the market of the powerful sponsored drivers Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Perez.

Lotus is the most competitive team with a driver vacancy for 2014, but that team is grappling with the 'will-it-or-won't-it' arrival of crucial investment from the Quantum group.

So, along with Force India, Sauber is next in the queue for the pick of the remaining drivers on the 2014 market, and rumours say the Swiss team is in serious talks with both Maldonado and the McLaren refugee Perez.

Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn said the driver decision will be made "soon".

"Maybe in the coming week," she told RTL at Interlagos.

In the meantime, Maldonado's reportedly EUR 40 million in Venezuelan backing, and Perez's EUR 15 million from Mexico, will speak loudly.

Maldonado, however, thinks he is worth signing up for his talent alone.

"I think I would be champion at Red Bull," the departing Williams driver is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

Maldonado is also quoted as saying by the EFE news agency: "Of the available drivers on the market, I'm the only one who has won a race.

"The only thing I know," Marca sports newspaper quoted Maldonado as saying, "is that I will be in formula one next year, 100 per cent."

From GMM

Felipe Massa has tipped Fernando Alonso to share an awkward relationship with his new Ferrari teammate.

Between 2007 and 2009, before Spaniard Alonso arrived at the fabled Italian team, Brazilian Massa shared the scarlet garage with Kimi Raikkonen.

The Finn is returning to Ferrari to be Alonso's teammate in 2014, but Massa warned Alonso not to expect an easy relationship with the aloof and unusual Raikkonen.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138

"Out of Schumacher, Raikkonen and Alonso, it was easier with Schumacher and Alonso," Massa, who will switch to Williams after Sunday's Brazilian grand prix, told Italia 1 television.

"With Kimi I could work well, but there was no relationship or friendship -- he lived in his own world and didn't want to know anything about anyone," he added.

"With Michael and Fernando I had a human relationship, but with Kimi, no. And if he didn't have it (a relationship) with me, then he will not have it with anyone."

Massa also had a warning for Raikkonen.

"He needs to be prepared to live with Alonso, because it is not easy to be the teammate of Fernando Alonso. He is a very strong driver, sometimes perfect, and so Kimi will have to be giving his very best every time," he added.

Meanwhile, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reports that neither his current team, Lotus, or his 2014 employer, Ferrari, knows the current whereabouts of Raikkonen.

The 34-year-old Finn, who in Mark Webber's absence next year will be the oldest driver on the grid, had back surgery last week.

But, to divert the attention of reporters and photographers, Raikkonen's manager deliberately said the operation was taking place in Salzburg, Austria, when in reality it happened in Strasbourg, France.

"We have no idea where he is," a Lotus team member is quoted as saying.

And an unnamed Ferrari source added: "We only know that he is fine, calm, resting and that his recovery has begun."

Sebastian Vettel capped off the 2013 season in style, leading his retiring teammate Mark Webber to a Red Bull 1-2 at the checkered flag of a dry Brazilian Grand Prix and equalling two F1 records.

His 13th win of the season matched Michael Schumacher's tally of 2004. A consecutive ninth also elevated him to Alberto Ascari's level.

Despite a slow start, pole-sitter Vettel ran away in his usual style. Webber and pursuer Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) only caught a break on lap 47, when Vettel lost time with a slow pit stop, but could not take advantage of it. In a couple of laps only, the gap with the German was growing again.

As he leaves for sports car racing, the Australian had to settle for one last podium, ahead of Alonso.

Celebration in the parc ferme (Photo: GEPA pictures)

Jenson Button (McLaren) came home a season-best fourth, ahead of Nico Rosberg (Mercedes). Sergio Perez (McLaren) and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) finished sixth and seventh in their last race for their respective teams.

After crashing into Valtteri Bottas (Williams), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) served a drive-through penalty and clawed his way back to ninth, ahead of Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso).

Mercedes edged Ferrari in the constructors' championship by 14 points, while Lotus settles for fourth after Romain Grosjean's retirement and Heikki Kovalainen's 14th place finish in Brazil.

Race results* - Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 71 laps 1.32'36"300
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 10"452
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 18"913
4 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 37"360
5 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 39"048
6 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 44"051
7 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 49"110
8 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'04"252
9 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'12"903
10 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1 lap
11 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1 lap
12 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1 lap
13 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1 lap
14 - Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1 lap
15 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1 lap
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1 lap
17 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps
18 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 2 laps
19 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps

Fastest lap of the race: 1'15"436 by Mark Webber

Retirements
Lap 3 - Romain Grosjean
Lap 46 - Valtteri Bottas
Lap 59 - Charles Pic

Drivers' championship
1.Vettel 397; 2.Alonso 242; 3.Webber 199; 4.Hamilton 189; 5.Raikkonen 183; 6.Rosberg 171; 7.Grosjean 132; 8.Massa 112; 9.Button 73; 10.Hulkenberg 51; 11.Perez 49; 12.Di Resta 48; 13.Sutil 29; 14.Ricciardo 20; 15.Vergne 13; 16.Gutierrez 6; 17.Bottas 4; 18.Maldonado 1.

Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 596; 2.Mercedes 360; 3.Ferrari 354; 4.Lotus-Renault 315; 5.McLaren-Mercedes 122; 6.Force India-Mercedes 77; 7.Sauber-Ferrari 57; 8.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 33; 9.Williams-Renault 5.

*Unofficial results

Volkswagen says it will invest a total of EUR84.2bn (US$114bn) in its automotive division during the next five years.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stridently insisted that the recent spate of battery fires in Model S sedans is being blown out of proportion. He may be right, but a good public relations strategy requires more than that.

The Los Angeles Auto Show proved fertile ground for four important world debuts. Here are the highlights.

Akio Toyoda has made a convincing case for himself as head of the world's biggest automaker.

Before the wraps even came off the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado at the 2013 L.A. Auto Show, Chevy dealers were in the factory's ear about a future off-road variant.

From GMM

Ferrari has played down rumours Nico Hulkenberg is in line to join the Maranello based team in 2015.

Although now fighting simply to stay on the grid next year, the highly rated German came tantalisingly close to signing a Ferrari contract for 2014, until the fabled Italian marque agreed a deal with Kimi Raikkonen instead.

"I was disappointed," Hulkenberg admits to Germany's Die Welt newspaper.  "Who in our job doesn't dream of driving for Ferrari?

"The opportunity was very real, but the negotiations came suddenly to a halt and I got over it relatively quickly," he said in Brazil.

According to the latest paddock rumour, however, Hulkenberg may still be in the frame, amid claims a 'pre-contract' - or letter of intent - already exists in the event Fernando Alonso switches to Honda-powered McLaren in 2015.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

But Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali told Auto Bild: "Nico is a great talent, but there are no agreements between him and us."

Hulkenberg, 26, also played down any suggestion his Ferrari dream is still palpably alive.

"At the moment I don't see Ferrari as a realistic chance for me," he said.

"The door is shut, but I don't know if that's for ever -- it's in the stars."

From GMM

1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks Fernando Alonso would have won this year's title at the wheel of the 2013 Lotus car.

The French Canadian told the Spanish sports daily AS that the Ferrari driver's performance this season was not quite as impressive as in 2012.

"He (Alonso) is always at a high level," Villeneuve said at Interlagos, "but what we saw from Alonso in 2012 I have not seen this year. That was second to none -- the best I've seen.

"This year, with the statements (made by Alonso) about Ferrari and everything, there was too much negative energy," he added.

Next year, Alonso will be paired at Ferrari with a new teammate.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

"(How will he fare) with (Kimi) Raikkonen?" Villeneuve said. "The Lotus is a great car this year. All I'll say is that Alonso would have won this year's title in that Lotus."

Alonso joined Ferrari in 2010 but, although he has come close, he is yet to add to his tally of two world titles, won at Renault seven years ago.

The Spaniard has had an often tense relationship with Ferrari this year, but despite flirtations with Red Bull and McLaren, he is staying put for 2014.

"You have no other choice than to be patient," Alonso told the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper at Interlagos.

"Sometimes it's frustrating. For days and days. But I have to use this anger in a good way, to work harder and to win again," he insisted.

Meanwhile, while Alonso's comments about Sebastian Vettel might often sound uncomplimentary, the 32-year-old insists the Red Bull driver deserves his success.

"With the same car, Webber was not able to win any titles," Alonso said. "It's clear that Sebastian deserves it."

The rain could not shake off Sebastian Vettel's (Red Bull) hold over F1 supremacy, going into the last grand prix of the 2013 season, in Brazil.

The four-time world champion, who bids for a ninth straight victory Sunday, beat his German countryman Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) to the pole by over half a second, with the rain still pouring down on the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, in Sao Paulo.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9 (Photo: WRi2)

With the third fastest lap, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) managed to push the second Red Bull of Mark Webber down to fourth, for the Australian's last F1 start before switching to endurance racing with Porsche.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Romain Grosjean (Lotus) line up on the third row, just in front of Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) are ninth and tenth.

Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus) almost cracked the top 10, but the Finn was caught out by the intensifying rain of Q2, which killed any chance of improvement late in the session. The raim actually become so heavy, officials had to delay the start of Q3 by several minutes.

With 14th, Sergio Perez out-qualified his soon-to-be ex McLaren teammate Jenson Button for the 10th time this season, despite crashing out.

Sunday's race features 71-lap of the 4.309-kilometre Interlagos circuit.

Qualifying results* - Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)
1.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'26"479 - Q3
2.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'27"102 - Q3
3.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'27"539 - Q3
4.Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'27"572 - Q3
5.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'27"677 - Q3
6.Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'27"737 - Q3
7.Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28"052 - Q3
8.Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28"081 - Q3
9.Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'28"109 - Q3
10.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'29"582 - Q3
11.Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'27"456 - Q2
12.Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"269 - Q2
13.Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'27"954 - Q2
14.Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'28"269 - Q2
15.Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'28"308 - Q2
16.Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"586 - Q2
17.Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'27"367 - Q1
18.Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'27"445 - Q1
19.Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'27"843 - Q1
20.Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'28"320 - Q1
21.Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'28"366 - Q1
22.Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'28"950 - Q1

*Unofficial results

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen thinks he is a better driver today than when he won a grand prix for McLaren in 2008.

The Finn, who was dropped as Caterham's race driver at the end of last season, has returned to action with Lotus in Austin and Brazil after countryman Kimi Raikkonen headed for early surgery.

Kovalainen told Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper that the two outings late in 2013 have boosted his confidence, as he seeks a full-time return for 2014.

"Driving this (Lotus) car, a good car, I am now convinced that, with Caterham, I have developed as a driver in many areas compared to when I was at McLaren," he said.

Kovalainen's new race engineer Mark Slade, who has been working with Raikkonen full-time this year, agrees.

"Heikki is now more relaxed," said Slade, who worked with Kovalainen at McLaren.  "He's been very good at adapting to the new car."

Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Kovalainen thinks he has done his quest to return to race action in 2014 no harm with his Lotus outings.

"I am on the right end of the timesheets, everyone can see that," the 32-year-old said.

"Now with a good car, I realise I am better than I was at McLaren," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"I want to remain a formula one driver in all circumstances, even if it's only as a test driver."

Kovalainen has been strongly linked with a return for Caterham in 2014, but the latest rumours suggest rookie Marcus Ericsson could in fact line up alongside Giedo van der Garde.

Team boss Cyril Abiteboul confirmed in Brazil, however, that Caterham is still interested in Kovalainen.

"First of all I need to make sure that Lotus is not going to keep him," he smiled.

From GMM

Daniil Kvyat has made an immediate impression on his bosses.

The Russian teen has been signed as the Red Bull-bound Daniel Ricciardo's 2014 replacement at the energy drink company's second F1 team, Toro Rosso.

He has been given an early start in 2013, with two Friday practice appearances in Austin and now in Brazil.

On Friday at a wet Interlagos, the confident 19-year-old was not only faster than Ricciardo and his 2014 teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, but ranked eighth fastest overall in the morning session.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso STR8 (Photo: GEPA pictures)

"He has big balls," Dr Helmut Marko, the outspoken Austrian Red Bull chief, said after Kvyat set the time on the wet Brazilian circuit.

"I think we have the right man," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was also impressed.

"You could see he's not afraid of the car in any way," he said on British television BBC. "He's throwing it around and has got plenty of car control. It was certainly an impressive performance."

Amy Williams, who won the gold medal in the skeleton at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, wants to repeat her WRC experience from last week's Wales Rally GB.

"It's been an unbelievable few days," the 31-year-old woman told WRC.com.

Co-driving TV presenter Tony Jardine's Mitsubishi Lancer, she finished 26th overall, first in the Class 3.

Williams and Jardine (Photo: McKlein)

"It has (been) really tough," she added, referring to the few problems she encountered on her WRC debut, which included illness, turbo problems, as well as a puncture and a time penalty.

"But I've honestly loved every minute of it.

"I've really got the bug for rallying now (even though) it's probably one of the hardest things I've ever done.

"I'd love the opportunity to do it again," she added.