"I am happy to be back in a world rally car on a WRC event as this will be my first event since Corsica last year. It is also good to be back in a Ford Focus WRC which, in the past, has brought me some good results," he stated. "The last time I competed on Monte-Carlo was in 2006 where some of the route was similar to this year especially on Sunday so I think this will help a bit."

M-Sport boss, Malcolm Wilson reckons Galli and Duval should both do well. He is also keen to see Henning Solberg and his son, Matthew shine too, although they won't be able to score team points.

"It's really exciting to see the Stobart team with such a strong line-up for their first event with both Gigi and Francois nominated for points," he added. "The team is further strengthened by Henning and Matthew who both put in strong performances on their last tarmac event in Ireland.

"This will be the first time the team competes with its striking new livery too and it is also the first occasion where three Stobart liveried cars have competed on a round of the World Championship."


Munchi's Ford WRT:

[Federico Villagra, car #9 and Luis-Perez Companc, car #10]

Mexico first event.

The Munchi's Ford WRT will not take part on the Rallye Monte Carlo, the outfit is due to begin its 10-event campaign from the Rally Mexico, the third round in the championship.

Federico Villagra is expected to take in all 10 events, while Luis-Perez Companc will do just three events. Who will partner Villagra on the other seven events has yet to be confirmed. It is expected that this will be announced on 'an ongoing basis' throughout the year, with a number of drivers having already been rumoured to be in the frame, including 2007 Fiesta Sporting Trophy International champion, Barry Clark.


Suzuki WRT:

[Toni Gardemeister, car #11 and Per-Gunnar Andersson, car #12]

Suzuki set to begin new chapter.

Suzuki team boss Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima has said that he wants to see 'his' team make 'steady progress' this year.

2008 will be a significant one for the Japanese manufacturer as it will finally graduate to the 'senior' level with the all-new Suzuki SX4 WRC car following several seasons in the Junior World Rally Championship, which yielded two titles.

Furthermore following two 'test' events in Corsica and Britain at the end of 2007, the SX4 WRC will feature 'new differential and suspension settings for Monte Carlo', as well as a 'raft of other improvements under the skin', all of which should help team drivers' Toni Gardemeister and Per-Gunnar Andersson as they look to get the best out of the machine.

"As we embark on our full first season, our goal is to make steady progress by taking one step at a time," said Tajima. "Results are obviously important, but we cannot get ahead of ourselves either. In our debut year, it's only natural to expect a few minor problems and we're grateful to have a driver of the calibre of Toni Gardemeister to help us improve."

Gardemeister meanwhile has set his sights on getting points this weekend on an event he regards as one of his favourites. Indeed he has competed on the Monte nine times to date, five times finishing in the points - and ending up on the podium as recently as 2006.