A brief statement to the media read: "Michelin has initiated legal proceedings against the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile… and requests that the 27 February 2007 decision of the World Motor Sport Council of the
FIA granting Pirelli the exclusive supply of tyres for the 2008-2009-2010 World Rally Championships (WRC) be annulled due to irregularities in the tender process."
News from the Manufacturers' teams:
Citroen Total WRT:
[
Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and
Daniel Sordo, car #2]
Sebastien Loeb will have only one aim this weekend, namely to go for the win, even though it is, as he freely admits, a ‘step into the unknown’.
Loeb won last time out in Mexico and that result moved him back up to second in the standings, 4 points behind current leader, Marcus Gronholm. The Frenchman is therefore determined to try and take the maximum points haul in order to further close the gap.
The event in the Algarve though will be his first in Portugal and while he did the recce for the Rally de Portugal in 2001 that was when it based in the north in Porto.
"It's nice to see this round back in the championship," said the Citroen driver. "Rallying is so popular in Portugal and we know we will be given a warm welcome.
"I only have a vague recollection of recce for the 2001 event though in up to half a metre of mud north of Porto. Dani [Sordo – my team-mate, who did the candidate events in 2005 and 2006] has told me a little about the new stages but, as for many drivers, it will basically be a step into unknown territory for me. I will approach the rally as I do every event, new or otherwise, and I will do my utmost to win it."
Daniel Sordo meanwhile will be the only driver with prior World Rally Car experience on the ‘new’ Rally de Portugal, as he drove the ‘zero’ car last year. Although his focus in 2006 with the Xsara WRC was on safety, rather than outright speed, he also competed on the event in 2005, finishing fifth overall and winning the Super 1600 category with the C2. As such he will have a slight advantage come the start this Thursday.
