by Rob Wilkins
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MARCUS GRONHOLM: CLICK HERE
BP Ford team leader, Marcus Gronholm is currently engaged in a fierce fight with Sebastien Loeb for the 2007 WRC drivers' title.
Crash.net Radio caught up with the Finn recently ahead of the final five events of the season to chat to him about that battle - and his decision to retire from the sport at the end of this year after more than 140 events at the top level...
Crash.net:
Marcus, it was announced earlier this month that you will retire from the WRC at the end of this season. Does that decision make you even more determined to try and take the title, so that you go out on a high?
Marcus Gronholm:
Of course it would be nice to win and take the title, but we will see. There are still many rallies to go and I am really concentrating on them. Maybe it gives me a little extra kick to try and win.
Crash.net:
When did you decide this would be your last year in the WRC? How tough a decision was it?
MG:
Yeah it will be my last year in the WRC now. It was a hard decision but I have to do it someday - and maybe now is the right time. I still feel that I could drive something but not the whole season, maybe something in motorsport. I don’t know yet what I will do next year.
Crash.net:
You took the win on the last event in New Zealand after a fantastic battle with
Sebastien Loeb, which culminated in you coming out top by just 0.3 seconds. How satisfying was that victory?
MG:
It was a fantastic feeling after we had such a big fight. We were so close together starting the last stage less than 1 second apart and finishing there on the super special stage so close to our team and people made it extra special. It was a good feeling.
Crash.net:
You have currently got a ten point advantage in the drivers’ championship over Loeb. How important is that cushion?
MG:
Of course it is much better to be in the lead and in front, but ten points, it sounds a lot, however it is not. We still have five rallies and I have to finish them. If I retire once and he wins it is gone. I am not super confident. I will just go on and try to do my best.
