RT:
Obviously we are still using the old car and whilst we do that the expectations are to try and keep getting decent points for both drivers. I'd like to see them both in the top five or top six places and that is what we should be aiming for. I think we have proved on each event so far this year that the car is capable of that.
Crash.net:
How is development going with the new Impreza?
RT:
Very well so far - we are very pleased with where we have got to. Obviously we started testing a couple of months back now, back near Christmas time actually. So far everything is going very well and according to plan.
Crash.net:
How important a contribution is test driver
Markko Martin making?
RT:
Excellent - Markko has done what we feel is a very, very good job for us. He has allowed Petter and Chris just to concentrate on the rallies. He has been able to bring his experience of a number of world rally cars to us. He has been able to focus totally on the testing and has done a very, very good job so far.
Crash.net:
When we will see the new car?
RT:
[
laughs] We have not decided yet. We are obviously getting closer to it. Once we are comfortable we have got the performance and level of durability from testing that we have set to get us to the rallies then we will be making an announcement and bringing the car out. But not for a little while yet still.
Crash.net:
Is Markko likely to drive it on any events competitively?
RT:
There are no plans for that at the moment. His interest and ours is purely in testing. He is not particularly looking to do rallies. So, at the moment, no - it will be Petter and Chris as normal.
Crash.net:
Will Markko continue testing once the new car has been launched?
RT:
Yes - we have got an arrangement with him for the whole of this year. We have only done gravel testing so far and so once we launch it we have got tarmac testing to do. Markko will be involved in that. He has got a role with us through the rest of this year, at least.
