Galli last competed in the WRC on the Rallye de Portugal back in April 2007 and he freely admits that he is going to be a bit rusty this time out, even if he has done some other minor events in between. Despite that though the Italian is clearly chomping at the bit to get back in action and he can't wait to drive his
Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07 competitively for the first time.
The fact he will be nominated to score manufacturers' points - along with 'guest' driver
Francois Duval – will also keep him on his toes.
"Coming into this event I feel a bit 'rusty' because in the last few months the only thing I’ve been driving is a digger I used to finish my mother’s house," he stated. "It’s been fun but nothing to do with WRC cars! Joking apart I believe it’ll take a little time to find the right feeling with the car and the right pace again but then when we find the right feeling we will increase our pace and we’ll adjust our targets.
"Rallye Monte-Carlo is renowned for sudden changing conditions and being the first round of the season it keeps pressure on drivers quite high. Driving a car that won the last two manufacturers’ titles make us proud.
"We are also proud to be part of a team that, despite being young, has done very well already. I’m really looking forward to working with the team and it will be great to be part of such an impressive set-up."
Duval meanwhile will start the Monte knowing that it is absolutely vital he gets a good result if he is to get additional outings with the Ford 'B' team. Duval's participation at the Principality is very much a one-off at this stage and the Belgian admitted last month that he will need to do well if the collaboration is to continue.
Speaking ahead of the event, he admitted though that it will be nice to be back with Ford, having competed with the 'works' team back in 2003 and 2004. Furthermore having impressed with Kronos
Citroen last season - when he took in the events in Germany, Spain and France, almost winning on the Rallye Deutschland - he will want to again make his mark.
