by Rob Wilkins
Xavier Pons will make his debut with the Subaru World Rally Team on the Rally Finland next month having concluded a deal that will see him compete with the Banbury-based outfit on all the remaining events this season, as well as doing a full-year in 2008. Here he speaks exclusively to
Crash.net and looks ahead to his maiden outing in the Impreza WRC 2007...
Crash.net:
Xavier, first up, congratulations on securing the drive with Subaru - you must be really looking forward to the Rally Finland, your first outing with the team?
Xavier Pons:
I think it will be a good rally to get to know the team and to do some kilometres in the car. Obviously on all rallies I want to do well, but there will be a lot of local Finnish drivers there and nobody will expect a great result. I will be able to have a ‘quiet’ rally and improve my feeling with the car ahead of the next rally.
Crash.net:
How did the deal come about?
XP:
It was some time ago that I started to have conversations with Subaru and it wasn’t until recently that we finally came to an agreement. I am a young driver and I want to show my talent with them and show that I can be a fast driver in the future.
Crash.net:
How have preparations been going for your first outing with Subaru?
XP:
I am now starting to get to know the team and during July I will do two days of testing - one in Finland and one in Germany. At the end of the month I will also do a bit more running and before the first rally I will do another three-day test. That will be important to get to know the car.
Crash.net:
Have you tested with the car at all yet then?
XP:
No, I have just met with the team and the key people. My first contact with the car will be this week.
Crash.net:
Have you had a chance to speak with your new team-mates Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson? Are you looking forward to working with them?
![Xavier 'Xevi' Pons [Pic credit: SWRT]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/344798.jpg)
