Q:
What do you think has been the main problem for
Subaru or is it a combination of things?
PM:
Oh it is a combination of lots of small things. It is difficult to pinpoint any one particular area. I hate using
Formula One as a comparison because there are very little comparisons, but if you look at
Ferrari for instance, they dominated the thing for five years and then all of sudden last year they were tenth or whatever on the grid and couldn't do much about it. That gives you an idea of what can happen in motorsport. Even if you have the best team, with the best resources, sometimes it turns on its head and you don't get what you think you are going to get. So if we use that as a comparison, which we shouldn't do, but if we do, it gives you an idea of what can happen in motorsport and that is where we are at the minute - lots and lots of small things, but we are in the middle of putting them right.
Q:
We spoke to Subaru sporting director, Luis Moya a week ago. He reckons potentially you and Petter will be able to go for wins at all the remaining events, with the exception of Germany. Would you agree with that?
PM:
Yeah I agree. As I said, we know on tarmac it is hard work. Germany is very difficult and we just want to get through that event with a decent finish. But after that - in Finland, we have been very competitive there in the past; Japan we were leading last year when the rock came out; Cyprus and Turkey we have won those rallies before; even in Australia we were leading last year when the kangaroo came out; we have won in New Zealand in the past as well and obviously we have won Rally GB four times - so all the events coming we have won before and so we are very confident. We have some small changes to the car, new tyres, lots and lots of things to look forward to and yes, certainly we are going to those events to win them - and win them with quite some conviction.
Q:
From what you have said there then you obviously expect a complete reversal to the first half of the season?
PM:
Yes as I say, as I keep saying, we have got lots of small changes and hopefully that will turn the car around and put us into a winning position. I'm really looking forward to those events.
Q:
Have you been enjoying the summer break?
PM:
Well it hasn't been so much of break yet because we had all sorts of commitments and we have been up and down to the factory and doing other bits and pieces. But I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks and especially now the sun is shining so nicely here in Wales. It was 27 degrees C here yesterday [Sunday] and it is just what you need when you are sitting out in your own garden.
Q:
Are you going to be at the Rallyday at Castle Combe again this year, I re-call you were there last year?
PM:
I was there last year, but it actually coincides with our tarmac test this year, which is a great shame because the Rallyday was such a pleasant day out and I was really looking forward to that. In Germany though there are some fairly strict rules with testing and you can only test on nominated days so it impossible to change the day so I will have to go with that. Unfortunately it is the same day and so I will have to miss the Rallyday this year I'm afraid.
Q:
Looking ahead to 2007, Ford and
Citroen will obviously be your main rivals again. Do you think the new Citroen C4 will be competitive straight away?
