Many people were predicting you would get promoted to the BP Ford team this year. In the end were you confident you would get the job - and are you confident you can deliver?

J-ML
I have a good feeling at the moment but I know there will of course be some pressure to get good finishes. But that is what you normally need to do. I don't think about it too much. I also know there are some very eager youngsters hunting for the top teams. I will just try to do my job as well as I can and lets see what happens.

Crash.net:
What do you think is going to be your role this season with the BP Ford team?

J-ML
I will be in the position where Mikko use to be and Mikko will be in the position where Marcus was. Mikko will be hunting for victories and I will try and finish in the podium places to make sure we get points. That is the role I will play I would say.

Crash.net:
What targets have you got for the year overall?

J-ML
I will try and finish on the podium as much as possible. I am going to be really, really hunting for that - and I will try improving my driving too. I have a dream that at the end of the year - or at some point this season - if I can win a world rally that is something I have been eager to do for a very long time. I believe that with this car it is very possible. But I need to get that last 2 per cent so that I can go fast enough and keep the car on the road.

Crash.net:
Are you looking forward to working with Mikko?

J-ML:
I am really looking forward to it. He is very relaxed and a very nice guy. He helped me last year when I had some problems. If I asked him he would give me some information and tips on what I should do differently.

Crash.net:
How do you think your rivals will get on this year, the likes of Citroen and Subaru?

JM-L
I believe the Citroens will be very, very strong and also it will be interesting to see how the new Subaru goes, when it comes in. It will be a hard battle with Ford and Citroen and I reckon Subaru will be there as well. Suzuki is now coming in as a new team too. They will need some time to develop the car but I think the battle between the top three teams will be strong. I hope Suzuki is at some point up there as well.

Crash.net:
Recently it has been confirmed that the route for this year's Rally Finland, your home event, will be quite different. How do you feel about that?

J-ML
It seems some of the very famous stages will not be driven. But I am not so concerned about that. I know that area in the middle of Finland and there are a lot of good rally roads to use. If we don't use the very famous old stages there will still be some great stages anyway.


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH JARI-MATTI LATVALA: CLICK HERE