Drivers: Jari-Matti Latvala (
BP Ford Abu Dhabia WRT),
Luis Perez Companc (Munchi’s Ford WRT),
Petter Solberg (
Subaru WRT) and
Sebastien Loeb (
Citroen Total WRT).
Press conference.
Q:
Jari-Matti, you come to Argentina on the back of two very strong performances in Sweden - where you picked up your first win – and Mexico, where you finished third. Can you keep up the consistency and score a podium here?
Jari-Matti Latvala:
I will try. I’m quite confident at the moment. We have two good rallies behind us and we try to keep the same speed, same pace as we had in Mexico. Of course this rally is one of those which I don’t have much experience of, but I have the same level of experience here as I had in Mexico. I try to do my best and try to be there and keep the same speed as in Mexico.
Q:
What has it been like battling for position with Sébastien (Loeb) and Mikko (Hirvonen); what does it do for your confidence?
J-ML:
That’s the best part of motor sport. It is when you can really have a fight and you can push hard and you know that you are very close to each other. When you try harder and you can get a couple of seconds faster, that really feels good. It gives you the best feeling in motor sport when you can have good fights.
Q:
Do you feel your approach to rallies is any different than it was last year when you were part of a private team?
J-ML:
Of course. I’m now more prepared for the rallies because I have been able to test the car more than what I did last year. I have also been trying to do training for the mental area, for my preparation for the rallies, for the concentration because you know last year I lost my concentration on some of the rallies. I went off the road or something. We have been working on that area with the trainer of Marcus Grönholm and he’s giving me good advice. So I think my preparation for the rallies is better. Last year I had so many things. I was still working with the family business and was doing two things at the same time so now I just concentrate for the rally. I can be relaxed and be ready to come to the rally. I know this is my job and this is what I can do and I enjoy what I’m doing. It’s a much better way to start the rally than ever before.
Q:
You will run the same compound tyre here as you did in Mexico. What are the differences between that event and this one in terms of surface and what effects could it have on the performance of the tyre?
J-ML:
If it’s really raining a lot it can be very difficult to drive in this kind of conditions; we should be able to cut the tyre, even though we have the hard tyre, if we can cut it, it would be easier. At least it’s the same for everybody and then it’s okay when it’s the same with everybody. We just need to drive and concentrate and accept what the conditions are. It doesn’t help to blame the tyre. You just need to find a way to drive the car with those tyres.
Q:
What is it possible to achieve here in Argentina, are you aiming for another podium?
