Originally Posted by driveace
I think it was Paul White that was with Henri in 1980 in the Talbot days .,but if it was you Fred then Correct me.
Henri was doing a French event in the late part of 1980,and was catching up his team mate Guy Frequelin up in leaps and bounds,when it started to rain which Henri loved.He got very close to passing Guy but was told in no uncertain terms that it was a French event,and that a French car had to win with a French driver.Henri pleaded with Des to let him pass Guy ,but was told if he did not abide by team orders there would be NO CAR for him for the 1980 RAC.At the start of the last stage Henri sat after the 54321 GO for over 20 seconds even being told by all to GO.Henri lost to Frequelin by a mere 4 or 5 seconds ,but was so disgusted he flew straight back to Espoo.He refused to do the next rally,and said to Des O,Dell if YOU want ME to do the RAC you had better come here to Finland to see me.Des flew to Finland and pleaded with Henri to come to the UK to do the RAC and promised him any mortal thing he wanted.He told him that he was the priority driver,and anything he wanted doing would be done.And he became the youngest ever driver to win a world championship event !