Gabriel Pozzo has said that while it is great to be in contention for the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship title following his win in Japan on Sunday, he is not thinking about that just yet.

Pozzo's victory moved him up to second in the PWRC standings and while he is 17 points behind current leader, Toshi Arai, unlike his Japanese rival, he still has two of his six nominated events to come and that means there is everything to play for.

“It's been good today,” he said at the finish. “We got our decision on which tyres to allocate for this rally right. That was very important. When the surface and grip level is changing as much as it was on this event, you need to be confident in the tyres.

“I am also really happy for the whole of the Tango Rally Team. We have built this team in the last year and a half and to come to Japan and win for Mitsubishi is a very important result. I am very happy.

“I'm not going to think about the championship now, though. I am going to focus on winning each of the last two rallies, that's all I can do. Having not won a round of the championship since 2004, it's just nice for me to be in the position to do this again.”

Pressed on how he might go in Ireland and GB, Gabriel conceded that both events will be tough, especially as he needs to win one and come second on the other, if he is to overhaul Arai.

So which one does he think he can win?

“I think it will be difficult on both events,” he added. “Both are new for me. GB is new for me and Ireland is new for all of the drivers.

"I feel better on gravel rallies because I don't have too much experience on tarmac; in 2001 and 2002, Spain and Corsica, but not too much. I think we have a very good car and now everything is going well. I'll try to fight and win both rallies.”