Despite that though, Seb isn’t overly confident and unlike in previous years he will use the C4 WRC this time, not the Xsara: “People see us as the favourites, the team to beat, I hope we are able to fight for victory again, but it won't be easy,” he noted. “To remain in the title chase, we will need to start scoring more points than Marcus – and soon. If we don't, it's going to be very difficult to defend our crown.
“None of my wins in Germany have been simple. I have had some big fights there over the years and I can't see our rivals making life easy for us this time round.
“What with the weather, the frequently difficult tyre choices and the rest, it's not a simple event. I don't think you can say that Germany is to me what Finland is to Marcus. We both have similar knowledge of the German stages, which is something you can't say for Jyväskylä. Marcus has even contested the Rallye Deutschland one more time than me because he was here in 2001!”
Pressed on why he is so good in Germany and what is the ‘secret’ to his success, Seb added that he is not sure there is one.
“I don't know if there is a secret! And even I had one, I wouldn't give it away!” he joked. “Seriously, though, we have often been quicker than our rivals in Germany and I think that's just because I feel comfortable on the stages.
“I'm not all that enamoured with the event when the conditions are difficult and hazards abound. I mean, who likes driving in rain on dry weather tyres? But perhaps my advantage is that I seem to cope well with that sort of situation.
“For me, this event is always a special occasion too because it takes place near my home region, Alsace, and I always have lots of supporters. I intend to give it my very best shot for them, as well as to try to notch up another win to put us back in the chase.”
Seb’s team-mate, Dani Sordo meanwhile is also pretty cautious, even though he put in a fantastic performance on the Rallye Deutschland last year to take the runners-up spot.
