Gigi Galli will be out to blow off the cobwebs on the Rallye Monte Carlo as he begins what will remarkably be his first full-season in the WRC.

Galli last competed in the FIA World Rally Championship on the Rallye de Portugal back in April 2007 and he freely admits that he is going to be a bit rusty this time out, even if he has done some other minor events in between.

Despite that though the Italian is clearly chomping at the bit to get back in action and he can't wait to drive his Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07 competitively for the first time.

The fact he will be nominated to score manufacturers' points - along with 'guest' driver Francois Duval – will also keep him on his toes.

"Coming into this event I feel a bit 'rusty' because in the last few months the only thing I've been driving is a digger I used to finish my mother's house," he stated. "It's been fun but nothing to do with WRC cars!

"Joking apart I believe it'll take a little time to find the right feeling with the car and the right pace again but then when we find the right feeling we will increase our pace and we'll adjust our targets.

"Rallye Monte-Carlo is renowned for sudden changing conditions and being the first round of the season it keeps pressure on drivers quite high. Driving a car that won the last two manufacturers' titles make us proud.

"We are also proud to be part of a team that, despite being young, has done very well already. I'm really looking forward to working with the team and it will be great to be part of such an impressive set-up."