Q:
You have a good road position on Friday. How much do you think your position in the running order will benefit you?
DS:
Of course my position on the first day is very good. In Monte-Carlo the stages were clean for me. I will try to push on the first stages here. After that I expect all the drivers to go faster.
Q:
What is your aim for this season? Could you challenge for the Championship title or will your role be to support Sebastien’s challenge?
DS:
Of course it is most important to try to win the Manufacturers’ title for
Citroen and then I will try to win one rally and finish in the top three in the Championship.
Q:
Chris, it’s been a good start to the year for
Subaru. Now it’s the first event where we are back to gravel, what can the team achieve here?
Chris Atkinson:
For sure it’s been good, especially with the podium finish in Monte-Carlo. We are not on the pace of the front guys yet; in Sweden we could see that. We are taking some small steps here and there. It is never going to be a miracle. The shakedown was okay, but we will see tomorrow. Sweeping the stages makes it an interesting event. We have done nothing drastic, just small set-up changes. It is not a new car, but I am feeling good and comfortable. No miracles. We will drive hard and try and get into the top five.
Q:
We have had two fairly cold rallies to start the year and now we have temperatures of up to 30 degrees. Have you done anything different in your training regime to prepare for the effects of the heat?
CA:
No more than usual. We have taken the same approach, but it is nice to be warm for a change.
Q:
It’s the first time we see the Pirelli gravel tyre here, what have you thought of the new tyres so far this season and how concerned are you now that you are preparing to tackle a gravel surface for the first time without mousse?
CA:
I will not say anything; if someone says anything they are sure to get a puncture. The tyres are working okay at the moment. The tyres worked well in snow and on tarmac. But this is the first gravel rally and it is new for everyone. We will hold our breath and see. It is bad luck to predict.
Q:
There have been very few changes to the itinerary this year, the schedule is almost exactly as it was in 2007. From what you have seen on recce, how are the stages, are they any rougher at all this year?
