The car performance wise is still behind. There is still a lot of work to do but this is quite normal for a new car and a new team. There is still a long way to go. But from the base of the car and knowing what can be done in the future it is a good start. We have to work quite hard though in order to step-by-step 'grow up' and be competitive like our main rivals. This will not happen in a few rallies but the plan is within one or two years to reach this level.

Crash.net:
What advantages does the SX4 have and what disadvantages does it have in relation to the competition?

MN:
The car has some advantages because of its size. It is quite a small car with good dimensions and even if some dimensions, like the height, aren't so good for a competition car, it doesn't have a big effect in rallying. In general the base is good and basically the car is a good compromise to be a WRC machine. The disadvantages are what I say, that the car is quite high. But this is in general a tendency for all the cars now, the new evolutions. This is a bit of a disadvantage, especially in terms of aerodynamics. But on rallies this is a bit less important than on circuit racing. Overall I think the car is a good starting point. I don't see any reason why it cannot be a good car if everybody is working in order to do it.

Crash.net:
How much of an issue is the height of the SX4?

MN:
It won't have too much affect. It will only really affect things on the very high-speed rallies. However there are not a lot of these in the championship and the compromises with all the rest of the car are much better.

Crash.net:
I believe the SX4 WRC can be adapted to be both a WRC car and/or Super 2000 car can't it?

MN:
When the car was designed we were thinking about this possibility and in some areas it has been designed thinking about the Super 2000 regulations. It is true that it can be made into a S2000 car quite quickly from the base we have. It is not a very big job - at least in terms of design. Of course in terms of parts it will be different. For example, the bodyshell is quite a specific specification for a WRC car. The main layout though can be the same and quite a lot of parts actually can be used for Super 2000 - if it is a target. So this car, at the moment it is a WRC, but to think about a Super 2000, it can be converted I would say quite quickly.

Crash.net:
What do you think of Super 2000 cars? How good are they? Are they a good way forward?

MN:
It depends on what the FIA - the sports governing body - wants to do. Normally there are different levels in rallying. It was suppose to be Super 1600, which is the first competition car for young drivers. Then after it was Group N and Super 2000, which were the second levels, and then the top level was meant to be WRC cars, which are higher in performance than S2000 and S1600. WRC cars were supposed to be the top category. After it depends what is decided politically by the FIA - if they want a really top level car or if they want to stay with a medium level car or whatever. It is more for political reasons than anything else.

Of course a Super 2000 is much less expensive than WRC and probably it would be more accessible for different manufacturers. But it is a completely different car in terms of performance. Normally the tendency is to reduce the costs. Maybe if the World Rally Championship needs or wants a bit of a top category it should be a compromise between the WRC car and the Super 2000. At the moment we don't know. I think the FIA will decide quite soon what will be the future - but for now, at least for the next three years, the regulations are WRC.

Crash.net:
Would S2000 cars cap technology in the sport too much?

MN:
Super 2000 is a good compromise for a competition car - it is still a racing car because you are allowed to do enough modifications. The only thing, which could be a bit of a problem, is the performance. If all the cars are like that it will be hard to get an advantage. But if you consider the weight of the car and the power with a normal aspirated 2-litre car its engine, it is true that it is not so much. But after that, as I say, it is more a political decision than anything else. I think S2000 is already a good car and if this category has to be the top for rally and the World Rally Championship this is another story.

Crash.net:
For the future, what do you think of the use of bio-fuels and so on? Is that the way forward?

MN:
This is the plan anyway. It has been planned for a few years now. This will be introduced soon by the FIA and some tests will be done. It is something which should be done. I think it is a main concern for everybody in motorsport.

Crash.net:
How important is it for the WRC to go 'green' and embrace more environmentally friendly technology?

MN:
It is important to show that people are concerned about that - and that things can be done. I think with technology now-a-days we are able to do quite a lot of things and especially in this area things have to be done because everybody is concerned about the environment. If things can be done in motorsport and especially in rally we have to do it. The FIA understands this and it [bio-fuels] will be introduced quite soon.


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MICHEL NANDAN: CLICK HERE