"As is often the case at the start of a new season, there are a lot of unknown factors. We will need to find the best match between the tyres we have and the stage conditions, but our aim is to try to win and get the year off to a positive start," he stated.
Asked about the event itself, Seb added that he would love to see some snow again, after it was absent from last year’s edition.
"I'm obviously dreaming of a white Monte Carlo, with real wintry conditions," he continued. "The route focuses on three different regions, so the stages will be very varied. Thursday evening's tests are wide, fast and smooth. Those in the Ardèche are more technical, narrower and occasionally bumpy. Last year, the conditions were particularly dry but it should be fun if we get snow and ice this time round!
"I am delighted to see that the Col du Turini and some other classic stages in the southeast corner of France are back. That said, the challenge of having to contest the final day's four stages with the same tyres could well turn out to be quite delicate."
Loeb's team-mate
Daniel Sordo meanwhile would prefer there to be no snow, as a pure asphalt event would definitely play to his strengths and help him secure a place on the podium.
"I'm very much looking forward to the start of the Monte Carlo Rally, although we will probably need time to adapt to our new tyres," he added. "We have prepared thoroughly for this event but nothing can replace actually being on the rally. The Monte's stages are fantastic but we will need to stay focused from start to finish if we want to achieve our objective which is a top-three finish with a view to scoring as many points as possible for
Citroen."
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT:
[
Mikko Hirvonen, car #3 and
Jari-Matti Latvala, car #4]
Mikko sets sights high.
Mikko Hirvonen has vowed to go for 'gold' on the Rallye Monte Carlo.
Mikko will have his first real shot at going for the title this season and while the event at the Principality is traditionally one that is dominated by
Sebastien Loeb and Citroen - Seb has won it four times in the last five years - the Finn told
Crash.net Radio at the Autosport International Show earlier this month that he has no intention of just going for solid points and trying to limit the damage.
