Drivers: Gigi Galli (
Stobart VK M-Sport Ford RT),
Chris Atkinson (
Subaru WRT),
Jari-Matti Latvala (
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT) and
Toni Gardemeister (
Suzuki WRT).
Press conference.
Q:
Gigi, it's your home event and you will perform in front of thousands of local fans this weekend. Are you feeling more pressure to do well here than at the other rounds?
Gigi Galli:
Not really. I am quite used to that. There is some more excitement to be here. Every Italian is looking for the only Italian driver racing with the WRC car. We are ready for that and everything is okay.
Q:
We have seen you on the podium already this year in Sweden; is a podium place the plan here or is a win a possibility?
GG:
I don't think so, because there are a lot of good drivers. I will take this opportunity with a lot of humility. Just to do one example, last week, there was a lot of people testing. I did the test on the beach - it's not the same! It's good to be here on the island, but it's good to be in the car for the test. You can see in Jordan we had trouble on the first day to keep the right pace. It takes me time to get used (to it). It's the same here. You cannot get used to it (straight away). The problem is when you take a few seconds - what you can do? It's like that. What I would like is to keep a good pace - it's not easy though, particularly when it's tricky and narrow. We will do our best. Sure the feeling with the car and the tyre is good. I'm sure it will be some trouble to get to the right pace.
Q:
What are your aims here? You talked about a test on Friday and the rally on Saturday and Sunday…
GG:
I hope to win. If I can be first, taking away the official teams, if I can be the first one, it's my aim. I try to do that. My goal is to be constant, no trouble.
Q:
Your fan club is legendary with their singing on events; how much does their support help when you are competing?
GG:
I think you will hear something of them! That is something, let me say, it's not the fans from
Gigi Galli, it's the fans from rallying in general. I have a good example from Jari-Matti in Sweden. Okay, the thing was my name, but they were singing Jari-Matti's name. Okay, it's maybe my fault they come, but after that they are the fan for everybody who has big passion for the sport.
