Suzuki team boss Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima has said that he wants to see 'his' team make 'steady progress' this year.
2008 will be a significant one for the Japanese manufacturer as it will finally graduate to the 'senior' level with the all-new Suzuki SX4 WRC car following several seasons in the
FIA Junior World Rally Championship, which yielded two titles.
Furthermore following two 'test' events in Corsica and Britain at the end of 2007, the SX4 WRC will feature 'new differential and suspension settings for Monte Carlo', as well as a 'raft of other improvements under the skin', all of which should help team drivers'
Toni Gardemeister and Per-Gunnar Andersson as they look to get the best out of the machine.
"As we embark on our full first season, our goal is to make steady progress by taking one step at a time," said Tajima.
"Results are obviously important, but we cannot get ahead of ourselves either. In our debut year, it's only natural to expect a few minor problems and we're grateful to have a driver of the calibre of Toni Gardemeister to help us improve.
"P-G Andersson is at the very start of his career, so his job is to learn as well. We all share the common objective of performing to the best of our abilities, and increasing the profile of
Suzuki's compact cars all over the world."
P-G Andersson meanwhile will make debut in a WRC car this weekend and while the Swede has completed around 500 kilometres in testing with the SX4, he knows he faces a steep learning curve.
"I can't wait to get started - but obviously getting to the finish and gaining more experience will be the priority for me," added the 27-year-old, who won the Junior title in 2007 and 2004.
"Going from a Super 1600 car to a World Rally Car is quite a big jump as everything happens so much quicker.
"It's also important to get the pace notes right: there are some corners that you wouldn't even bother noting in a Super 1600 car but in a World Rally Car you really feel them! It's important for me to have a solid run in Monte Carlo, so that I can go into my home event - the Swedish Rally, which is next on the calendar - with a lot of confidence."
![Suzuki SX4 WRC test, France. December 2007. [Pic credit: Suzuki World Rally Team]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/402132.jpg)
