"I would say if I can finish in the top-five I would be very satisfied. Monte Carlo is of course though very difficult. It is always a very hard rally for all the drivers. It is not so easy to enjoy because there are some big challenges to get through during the rally.
"But if it is snowy I hope it will suit my driving style. It should be a good rally also for the Ford Focus. Marcus Gronholm won the rally in 2006. It should be good for the Ford team."
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MIKKO HIRVONEN - RECORDED AT THE AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL SHOW: CLICK HERE
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH JARI-MATTI LATVALA: CLICK HERE
Subaru WRT:
[
Petter Solberg, car #5 and
Chris Atkinson, car #6]
Punctures could be a real issue, says Petter.
Subaru's #1 driver Petter Solberg has warned that competitors will pay a high price for punctures this season following the outlawing of anti-deflation devices.
Speaking ahead of the Rallye Monte Carlo, the Norwegian added that whoever adapts quickest to the new Pirelli tyres and the conditions will do well this weekend at the Principality.
Furthermore while Petter himself hasn't had much luck on the Monte - only scoring points twice in his last five attempts, when he was sixth in 2007 and seventh in 2004 - he is determined to do as well as possible this time out to get the new season off to a positive start.
"It is important to get into a rhythm straight away and settle into a pace you feel comfortable with. With no anti-deflation mousse you can’t take risks in the stages as a puncture could finish your rally," he confirmed.
"There will be a lot of snow I think and Monte is always tricky anyway so it won’t be easy, that’s for sure. It will be about who can make the most of their tyres and adapt to the conditions fastest, but if someone manages something special with them people will follow quickly."
