Loeb has competed in Turkey three times in total and while he retired in 2003, he won the round in 2004 and 2005. A third win in Kemer on Sunday would be well timed and while he will have the added challenge of playing the road sweeper on day 1 - a ‘privilege’ that goes to the championship leader - his main concern is with the tyres.
Indeed like in Greece he believes that it will be crucial to look after the Pirellis and to adopt some tyre management.
"One big difference to previous outings in Turkey will be the tyre factor," he continued. "The result could well depend on how well we succeed in looking after our Pirelli tyres.
"Once again, Daniel [Elena] and I face the delights of 'road-sweeping' too and that promises to be a big handicap, unless the conditions are damp. The work Citroën Sport has put in with the C4 WRC means we will however have a competitive and reliable car. To boost our chances and those of Citroën in our respective championships, we will be targeting victory. But I think we can expect a big fight for the win."
Daniel Sordo meanwhile has admitted that he will need to take a different approach in Turkey, in order to avoid a repeat of the tyre problems that cost him at shot at the victory on the Acropolis.
Sordo eventually finished fifth in Greece after punctures on Saturday afternoon spoilt his strong run and lost him around 6 minutes. Although Turkey is not as punishing as the previous event it can still be tough - and Dani has only one outing's worth of experience to draw on, after finishing seventh in Kemer in 2006.
Despite that though, the Spaniard is positive and with four-points' finishes on the trot in his pocket - following two podiums in Argentina and Jordan and two top-fives in Sardinia and Greece - he will be after something similar.
"It was in Turkey that I claimed my first fastest time on the loose. I've only done the event once, but it went well for me," he recalled. "I remember taking time to familiarise myself with the terrain before fine-tuning my pacenotes and then gradually upping my pace.
"I like the stages. You can drive with a slightly freer mind than you can in Greece because they're not so hard on the car.
"To keep up the sort of good runs I've been enjoying recently on gravel, I need to learn to adapt my driving to the condition of my tyres though. I know the C4 is capable of challenging for victory, and I'm also aware that everyone in the team is behind me, pushing me forward as they did a fortnight ago. It will now be up to me to profit from all that."
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT:
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Mikko Hirvonen, car #3 and
Jari-Matti Latvala, car #4]
Hirvonen wants Loeb to suffer.
Mikko Hirvonen is hoping it will be dry in Turkey this weekend, so that he can take full advantage of not being first on the road.
