Loeb will be supported by Xavier Pons and
Daniel Sordo. Kronos boss, Marc van Dalen is convinced that the former will bounce back from his disappointment in Spain when he crashed out while on course to finish third.
"It's true [Xavier was the least successful of our drivers in Spain] and it’s a pity for this talented, hard-worker and dedicated guy. Despite being very timid, he feels at home in the team," said van Dalen. "He was perfect in the first two rounds, which were probably the most difficult for him, and he scored eight valuable points for the Manufacturers championship. We cannot blame him for Mexico as it was an ignition problem which caused his retirement. He made a mistake in Catalunya in a very tricky section where the slightest gap in the line leads to an 'off'. Although he is Catalan, I think he prefers the Corsican stages. I’m optimistic and confident: Xevi and Carlos [del Barrio - his co-driver] are able to do really well in Ajaccio and score some good points."
BP Ford:
[Marcus Gronholm, car #3 and
Mikko Hirvonen, car #4.]
Ford number one driver, Marcus Gronholm believes he will have a real chance to fight with Sebastien Loeb for the win this weekend. The Finn was on form in Spain two weeks ago, winning 10 of the 16 tests and only missing out on the chance for gold after a turbo problem at the end of day one. Despite that though he fought back to take third on day two and three and he is now keen to notch up his first real win on asphalt, as although he won in Monte Carlo in January that is a unique tarmac event with snow and ice thrown into the mix.
"We proved in Spain that we have the right package to match Loeb on asphalt," said Gronholm in the count down to round five. "I'm really excited about being able to fight with him in Corsica, even though it is his home event and he knows the roads well. I feel happier on the Corsican stages than on the roads in Spain. They are more like rally stages than a race circuit."
Gronholm's team-mate Mikko Hirvonen is also confident and believes that a podium finish should be within his reach.
"I expect to be as fast [in France] as we were in Spain and fight for a top three," he confirmed. "But I also expect those drivers who were fast in Spain will be fast here. Corsica's stages are twisty all the time. I will need to find a different rhythm, one that is precise and tidy. It's not usually possible to cut corners because there are often brick walls and stones on the edge of the road. The roads can be abrasive but if the weather conditions are consistent, I'm sure the BFGoodrich tyres will be perfect. Sometimes a driver has to look after his tyres to ensure they don't 'go off' but with the new Focus I've never had to do this. It's a combination of the car and the tyres. They both complement each other and I know I will be able to drive flat out without having to protect them."
555 Subaru World Rally Team:
[
Petter Solberg, car #5 and Stephane Sarrazin, car #6.]
Petter Solberg believes that he can do better on the Rallye de France this weekend, after a nightmare event in Spain. The Norwegian was never really on the pace two weeks ago on the Rally Catalunya and in the end he brought his Impreza home a lowly seventh overall, nearly 4 minutes off
Sebastien Loeb, who took the victory for Kronos and
Citroen.
