Canary Islands Rally: Heat without consequences for Jon Armstrong

During the morning loop, the Irish driver provided a dramatic image and could have easily lost some ground. Fortunately, this slide didn't result in any contact, allowing him to continue learning the Ford Puma on tarmac.

Published 24/04/2026 à 14:24

Pierre Barre

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Canary Islands Rally: Heat without consequences for Jon Armstrong

© Nikos Katikis / DPPI

Solid but clear-headed. At the end of the first loop of the Rally From the Canary Islands, Jon Armstrong managed to find some positives despite a morning that was far from easy, requiring him to gradually get to grips with a surface he hasn't yet mastered in his Ford Puma Rally1. The Canary Islands asphalt is a terrain the driver of the number 95 car is rediscovering: Armstrong knew he needed to lay the groundwork this morning. Without trying to push the pace, the Irishman favored a measured approach with the clear objective of improving stage by stage. We wanted to improve and we were quite happy with our pace in the first special stage of the day. A solid start, even if the rest of the morning proved more challenging. As is often the case in the Canary Islands, the slightest mistake can quickly prove costly, and in the fourth special stage, Armstrong had a scare that could have had much more serious consequences.

Jon Armstrong could have lost everything

After drifting at the start of the special stage, the driver was surprised by his car's behavior, particularly when he had to put more stress on the front axle. When I tried to turn, I instantly lost the rear end. I was lucky we didn't hit anything. "A tense moment, ultimately without damage, but one that inevitably left its mark and served as a wake-up call for the European Rally Vice-Champion, who had personally told us in Croatia that he needed to deliver trouble-free weekends from now on. Logically, Armstrong then simply returned to the finish of the special stage without taking any risks." We continued, but I no longer had the confidence for the rest of the special stage. A clear-sighted observation. First, I need to learn; this is my first rally in these conditions with these tires. "He added, since neither Monte Carlo nor Croatia had actually taken place on such hot tarmac, which already raises some questions, as some have pointed out." Sébastien OgierIn any case, despite this warning, Armstrong remains fully committed to his rally: We are here to continue learning ».

ALSO READ > Leading in the Canary Islands, Sébastien Ogier is frustrated with his tires: "We can't push to the limit"

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