Q:
How difficult was it today, just to drive for position without needing to be totally competitive?
GG:
It’s difficult but the last years were harder – I had just two or three races. I had to show my performance on them; when you are like that, you have to start at full attack. This year it’s different as we work for a team. I feel good.
Q:
It’s only your second rally in a Ford Focus, and you have managed to get on the podium. Your confidence must be good heading to Mexico and what is your plan there?
GG:
I didn’t speak with my chief (Malcolm Wilson) yet. The plan doesn’t change. Okay, we did Mexico in 2004 – just a few stages. Just two times on the recce, it’s not enough to be on the same pace as the other drivers. There are a lot of quick drivers. What we will do is to try and find the good, safe pace and understand how the feeling is with the new gravel tyre. After one day, we can understand. I don’t know about the new tyre yet – I didn’t test it.
Q:
Congratulations Giovanni, it must be good to pick up a podium so early in your first season back. How much will this boost your confidence?
Giovanni Bernacchini:
It’s very a happy day for us. We didn’t imagine at the start of the season to be here. A podium in the second rally in the car is unbelievable for us. We are very happy. This is just the start for us. I hope we can do all the season in this way. This is a good opportunity for us to have all of the season, for this reason we will do it step by step and see what we can do in the gravel. It’s a good start.
Q:
You had a lot of fans here. How much does that help you?
GG:
Let me say: I really thank them. They are fans not just for me; there is a contest to come, they are fans from rallying. When you watched Jari-Matti get his prize on the podium they sing: “Jari-Matti!” That is fair play, not like some other sport – I appreciate this a lot.
Q:
Malcolm, maximum points for the
BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, three Fords on the podium and four within the top five. That’s a great result for Ford on just the second rally of the season.
Malcolm Wilson:
It’s fantastic. It’s a dream weekend to have the first three places and Jari-Matti get his first victory; Mikko to lead the Championship, Gigi on the podium and Ford leading the Championship with
Stobart second.
MH:
It’s a big party tonight, eh?
![Podium. Swedish Rally. February 7-10 2008. [PIC CREDIT: FORD / worldrallypics.com]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/405591.jpg)
