Crash.net:
Looking to next year, have you starting thinking about that at all yet?
MW:
We have had a bit of a think about it and hopefully the plan is to try and do the same again. That would be good. If we can get the consistency going I think everything now is just starting to click into place and I have probably said this a few times before, I have learned a lot more this year than I did last year. Last year was just all so new and such a challenge you are just concentrating on trying to get through the event and make sure you do the best job you can. Whereas this year you start to remember a lot more things and you learn a lot more. Really to go back into it next year with even more experience would just be a lot easier and obviously we had a plan when we first started and if we can keep sticking to that plan it will be alright.
Crash.net:
Pirelli will supply the tyres in 2008, how much of a difference is that going to make?
MW:
I think it is going to make a massive difference. No mousse is going to be a big factor. That is one of the areas at the minute that you don't even worry about. You take the line that is there and if you get a puncture it is not really the end of the world. Next year that is going to be a big difference. Hopefully the tyres will be strong and punctures won't be too much of an issue because I think it will be a shame if punctures ruin the fight for the overall victory. If you look at the finish in New Zealand, 0.3 seconds between Marcus and Seb and if there is punctures in there that is not going to happen again. Hopefully then punctures won't be too much of an issue, but the grip levels will be because if the tyres are going to be stronger then they are going to provide less grip. We will have to wait and see. I haven't driven on them yet and hopefully we can do a bit of mileage before the start of next year and just get a feeling for them and what they are like.
Crash.net:
Have you got to wait until after GB to test those tyres?
MW:
I think so. That is the plan anyway. It is going to be a big shock, especially on the tarmac as well. Obviously you are restricted with the amount of patterns you can have and what cuts you can do and everything like that. Whereas at the minute it is quite open to us. We can go out with any cut that we like and so it will make a big difference. But as long as the tyres are strong and punctures don't decide rallies then it should be OK.
Crash.net:
What did you make of the
FIA's decision to award the tyre tender to Pirelli and not BF Goodrich?
MW:
Obviously we don't know what happens in the meetings and it is hard for me to say. We have got a fantastic relationship with BF Goodrich and for Ford to win the world championship on their tyres last year - and hopefully we can do the same this year, it is a shame. But that is the way it goes and everybody is going to be in the same boat and getting use to these new tyres. We will just have to get on with it.
Crash.net:
Final question, there was tragic news last weekend with
Colin McRae passing away, is there anything you would like to say on that?
MW:
I think for British motorsport it is an absolute disaster. Obviously we have lost Richard [Burns], ‘Beef' [Michael Park] and now we have lost Colin. It just leaves a massive hole. He was a legend and that is the best way to describe him. I have got some fantastic memories of him and I think one of the things is he will never grow old now. We will always remember him as he was and the legend that he was. It is a terrible tragedy and I would just like to pass on my regards to Alison, Holly and Jim and everybody up there. It is going to be difficult but I think they will have to be strong and get through it.
