Yes he has. He has done the initial set-up - all the base settings. Now we will go and test for four-days and do the final settings. Markko has done a lot of kilometres and that is a good start.

Crash.net:
Looking back on the first part of the year, how would you assess it?

PM:
We knew where we were with the old car. That was a frozen spec car. We had some bad luck in some events. We were set for some good results and then something disappointing happened. In Argentina for example we lost second [on the final day with an electrical failure] and that wasn't the only event we had problems on. We have had so many failures of one sort or another.

But when we launched the new car in Greece, it showed it colours straight away and what it was capable of doing. Turkey wasn't quite so good. It has been an up and down season so far. But the main, main thing now is that we get this new car sorted out between now and the end of the year. Then we can start 2009 with a proper attack on the championship. That is the priority at the moment over the next six events.

Crash.net:
How difficult was it having to stick with the old car until Greece?

PM:
It has been three years now that we have been looking forward to the new car. It was just a matter of sticking with it. The old car was a frozen specification. There was never going to be anything new on it. We knew exactly what we had from the start of the year. So there were no shocks there or no surprises. We just had to go with what we had. But as I said, in Greece, everything turned around with the new car. I think it was quickly forgotten.

Crash.net:
Recent years haven't been easy for you, Petter and Subaru. Has that made you all stronger?

PM:
Definitely - we have had our fair share of disappointments. But we are still hungry for it and we still go to every event thinking we can win or certainly be on the podium. We have never lost confidence in ourselves or the team. Everybody is working very, very hard. I think when the first victory comes in the new car it will be a very, very sweet one.

Crash.net:
Could that come in the second half of the year?

PM:
I don't see any reason why not. The car is looking good. Probably a little bit later on in the season is more realistic - Japan or Wales Rally GB time. We should start getting stronger now. But the main thing is we get the car sorted out. Then we will be in a position from the first round next year to put in consistent podium finishes and hopefully have a good crack at the championship.

Crash.net:
You and Petter were last champions back in 2003. Does that seem like a long time ago now?

PM:
It seems like an awfully long time ago now. In 2002, 2003, 2004 and even 2005 we had a real rollercoaster ride. We won many, many events. We won on snow, we won on gravel and we won on tarmac. We proved that we were an all-round crew. But then it has been just disappointment ever since. But it will turn around and we will have a lot of fun again. I can guarantee you that.

Crash.net:
Mikko Hirvonen and Sebastien Loeb are currently engaged in a close battle for the title. Who do you think will win it?

PM:
That is a difficult one. But you would say Sebastien will probably be stronger with the tarmac events coming up. However if you look at Ford's performance on tarmac recently they are now taking the fight to Citroen - even on asphalt. Traditionally you would have said it would have been Sebastien. But that has changed and without sounding like I am sitting on the fence, it really will be 50:50. It could tilt either way. I really think it will be a close fight all the way to the finish. I hope it is for everyone's sake too. But predicting a winner is not easy.

Crash.net:
Ford and Citroen have made noises in recent months that they might quit the sport. There is still uncertainty over the future regulations, there is no central promoter appointed and we have the controversial rotation system coming in next year, which will mean no Monte Carlo. Has the FIA lost its way?

PM:
Instability in any sport breeds all sorts of contempt. That is where Formula 1 has been so good. I don't like using F1 as a comparison. But they have had consistency in the rules and long term plans, with the Concorde Agreements and so on. They knew where everyone was going quite a few years ahead.