Subaru team boss David Richards believes that it is possible one of his drivers could finish on the podium on the Rallye Monte Carlo.
Although the Banbury-based outfit only managed that feat twice last year, Richards reckons that the tricky four-day event, which usually throws up a combination of snow and ice, could produce a surprise result and allow
Petter Solberg or
Chris Atkinson to get onto the rostrum.
Indeed the weather could be especially beneficial for the Prodrive-run concern, which will have to persevere with the Impreza WRC2007 for now, until the new car makes it debut at a yet to be announced event later on in the season.
"Monte Carlo Rally has often turned out to be a lottery, where the weather has thrown up some opportunistic and historic victories," he noted, "and if we can snatch those chances, who knows?
"I wouldn't be at all surprised if either of our drivers climbed the podium. It's one of those events where anything can happen."
Subaru's operation director, Paul Howarth meanwhile added that the Monte is an event that is all about tyres.
"This year there will be a lot of snow and stages run in the dark, so consistency and optimizing the grip level on the changeable asphalt will be crucial to a good result," he explained.
"There are a lot of competitive drivers this season all bidding for top spots, so it will be a measure of pushing for pace without throwing it away in the opening round," he added.
