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Ostberg says missing Corsica a boost for Argentina

Mads Ostberg says his enforced absence from the Tour of Corsica earlier this month has left him in a stronger position ahead of this week's Rally Argentina.

Mads Ostberg, Ola Floene, Ford Fiesta WRC

Mads Ostberg, Ola Floene, Ford Fiesta WRC

McKlein / Motorsport Images

Ostberg had intended to compete on the French island, but when it became clear he would be running his Onebet JipoCar World Rally Team Ford Fiesta WRC with a Monte Carlo Rally set-up, he decided to test for South America instead.

"There was a shortage of parts for Corsica, which is why our car would have gone there on a suspension set-up for Monte Carlo," said Ostberg.

"That wouldn't have been so good, but I am happy with what we have done. I drove the car on some rough gravel roads in Portugal for two days and that has given me a really good feeling ahead of Argentina."

Having previously finished as runner-up in Villa Carlos Paz, Ostberg is hoping to mark his full-time return to the World Rally Championship with a podium on one of his favourite events.

"You can't underestimate the pace at the front of the WRC," he said. "I want to come back at the top level, but I have to be realistic and fighting for a podium would be extremely good."

In developing his Ford – the only privately run 2017 World Rally Car in the service park – Ostberg says he has gone in a different direction to M-Sport, the factory which builds and runs the official Fiesta WRCs.

"On the suspension, we have gone with a different philosophy," he said. "Sometimes M-Sport is testing at different times and it's not been so easy to work together with them, but that's one of those things.

"We have gone our own way and I'm very happy with that. I have a good feeling with the car now and I'm really ready to come back this week."

Ostberg also tested locally in Argentina on Monday, his privateer status permitted running outside of Europe.

While the Norwegian's start to 2017 might have been less busy than usual, courtesy of the arrival of his son Mons, he will be adding more rallies into his schedule later in the year.

Days after landing back in Europe from Argentina, he will drive a Fiesta R5 at Rally Sorland before a brace of European Rally Championship outings and some Spanish asphalt events in the Canaries.

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