“Xevi has been finishing fourth on the last three events and wants to try to achieve his first podium result. Dani, on his side, wants to defend a fourth position in the drivers’ rankings which he would have dreamt of at the start of the year, especially on his very first in a World Rally Car. To help them, I hope that we can do a faultless job. I want us just to finish well this fantastic season which has been Kronos’ best one so far.”
Sordo will go into the event just one point up on Manfred Stohl and while the Spaniard would no doubt like to stay ahead, he explained that the important thing this year is that he has gained lots and lots of experience. Indeed his target in Wales will again be to get to the finish, as he has never competed on the Rally GB before.
“I think this final round will be difficult because of the weather. It’s Rally GB, isn’t it?” he noted. “Usually, it features rain and mud and is cold. I will try to defend my fourth position in the Drivers’ rankings, even if Manfred [Stohl] has shown good speed and is only one point behind me. However, if he did take it, it won’t really matter. This year has been so useful for my experience and that was my number one target. For Wales Rally GB, I will try to do a good job on the pace notes and aim to finish the event to have a good knowledge of the stages.”
Pons has competed on the Rally GB three times before and was eleventh overall in 2005. He reckons that it is definitely a plus that it is now back in its traditional slot - at the end of the season, rather than being run in September.
