"I was happier with my speed on the first morning during the last round in Argentina. The poor conditions probably helped me initially, but when they improved I still took some time from Sébastien Loeb and so it was definitely an improvement," said Mikko.
"I've never been to Jordan but I've spoken to some drivers who have and seen photographs from our team, who visited the candidate rally last year. The roads look smooth and it seems as though the organisers have done a good job in preparing them.
"They look fast and flowing, like Finland but without the jumps, so if that's the case they should be good for me."
Jari-Matti Latvala is not worried about having to tackle a new event and is taking the step into the unknown very much in his stride.
Indeed he is no doubt comforted by how he did on the new events last year, when he finished fifth in Norway, eighth in Portugal and third in Ireland, to claim his first ever rostrum result.
"I think it is good [to do a new event] because everyone is in the same position and knowledge of the roads isn't an issue," he explained. "Last year there were three new rallies in the championship and I enjoyed the challenge of those so I'm looking forward to Jordan.
"I understand the roads are hard and fast so they should suit me. Although it's my first time in Jordan, car set-up isn't a concern. Now I have a set-up that feels good, I use that as a base for most rallies and don't need to make big changes, just a little fine tuning in places."
Khalid Al Qassimi meanwhile will be back in the 'third' car and he is the only leading driver with previous competitive experience of these roads, having won the candidate event last season.
"I've competed here six or seven times but the desert stages on which we used to drive have been replaced by new roads," he noted.
