No, I think if I want to win the title I need to go to all the rallies and try and win. Of course, like always, it depends on what the weather does. But still I just need to go there and try and win the rally - and if I can't then I will try to be second.

Crash.net:
What weather conditions would you prefer on the Monte? I guess you would prefer it snowy, rather than how it was last year...

MH:
Last year when it was a dry tarmac rally it didn't really feel like the Rallye Monte Carlo. You always need some ice and some snow and tricky conditions. That is the real Monte. Hopefully we will have that this year.

Crash.net:
Are you looking forward to that event, especially as there will be four-days of proper stages?

MH:
It looks very good. Of course it is going to feel like it is a very long rally as we are driving almost for four days. But I think that is what rallying needs. We start in the dark and do two stages on the Thursday night. Then we have two proper days and after that we drive back to Monte Carlo and do the legendary Turini stages. It is very good how the rally is now.

Crash.net:
In terms of your rivals, Sebastien Loeb is going to be your main threat. Just how crucial is it then for you to do well on the Monte and get your title bid off to a good start?

MH:
It is very important and of course anything can happen on the Rallye Monte Carlo. It is a difficult rally. But if you want to take the title you cannot have any rallies where you don't get any points. There is no room for any mistakes or to go off the road. It is going to be tricky but it is the same for everybody. Everybody has to drive in the same conditions. You never know what is going to happen.

Crash.net:
Of your other rivals, Subaru have the new Impreza coming out at some point this season, while Suzuki joins the fold at the top level with the all-new SX4 WRC. How big a boost is that for the sport?

MH:
It is good to have new teams in the championship – that is for sure. OK we will see how fast the Suzuki is going to be. I am sure everyone is keen to see how they will do. Also Subaru are getting a new car and hopefully they will find the speed again. But I think Jari-Matti is going to be very strong this year in some rallies and [Citroen's #2 driver] Dani Sordo will be as well. Gigi Galli is going to be in the WRC too [with the Stobart Ford team] and that is a very good thing for the whole sport. It should be a colourful season.


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MIKKO HIRVONEN: CLICK HERE