CA:
It was really good. We were impressed with what they have developed and OK they don't work in all conditions but you can't expect that. The Pirellis worked in a fair variety of conditions and the tyres were quite progressive. I think it was better than we expected and that is perfect.
Crash.net:
Was it a real concern running without run-flat mousse?
CA:
Definitely and you have to adapt your driving style. It is not easy and you have to really think about punctures.
Crash.net:
Have you heard how development is going with the new Impreza?
CA:
I have not heard so much. We are just focusing on what we are doing. I know they have tested and I know Markko [Martin] has spent some time in the car but that is about where it stops. For me that is not the main worry at the moment. We need to let those guys get on and do their job. We have got a good group of people there and a good test driver. I will worry about the rallies.
Crash.net:
Did you have a chance to speak to Markko about the new car?
CA:
Very briefly at the end of the rally I had a chat to him. At the moment though there is not much he can say because it was more just an endurance test - making sure everything was working and so on. It is early days and as such you cannot talk about performance. There was no real need for him to comment.
Crash.net:
Was the performance of your rivals as expected on the Monte?
CA:
Yeah, I think we expected guys like Duval to be up there. I thought Gigi might be in contention for a podium but he is in a new car and learning how to adapt to that, which I am sure he will. As expected too,
Citroen on those sorts of tarmac roads were very impressive.
Crash.net:
Were you surprised by
Suzuki's form with the SX4 WRC?
CA:
They did well. Per-Gunnar [Andersson] was doing some really good stage times. I was impressed by that. He is a good driver and having driven in the same team as him I know that. He did a really top job and the times were better than nearly everyone expected. That is great. Let's hope now they keep developing and improving their pace.
