Q:
We have had a fair amount of rain on the stages so far this week. What were they like when you recce'd them and are they a lot rougher as a result of the rain?
J-ML:
If it rains, this rally will be like Argentina. The surface is sandy here, but it is quite hard. If it rains it will be soft and slippery and the rain will make ruts in the road. When it rains heavily it could bring the rocks from the mountains – it will be rougher and harder for the cars. I am hoping it will be dry; this rally is quite nice in the dry. If it rains it will be hard for the car and not so enjoyable for the drivers.
Q:
Toni, six rounds into the Championship with the
Suzuki SX4 and you have yet to complete an event without the help of SupeRally. Is the team making headway on the reliability problems you have been experiencing?
Toni Gardemeister:
Okay, the team is trying to learn from the problems and the mistakes, but it's difficult because you need homologation to sort the problems. On the last event the problems weren't the same, which is a good thing.
Q:
How was shakedown this morning?
TG:
I stalled at shakedown which wasn't a good start. After the team changed the engine mapping it worked very well, actually.
Q:
Have you had to change your approach to events this year, knowing that the car is not as competitive as you would like?
TG:
Now we think in a different way. We're not flat everywhere. I like to go flat, but sometimes you have to cool down and bring the car to the finish.
Q:
What is the team's strategy for this event?
TG:
Bring the cars to the finish – that's the only goal at the moment. We want a clean run.
Q:
How's your confidence?
