Daniel Sordo [Citroen Total WRT]:
"I am feeling increasingly confident on the loose, but it's nice to be back on asphalt. That said, Germany is a special case. The rain and widespread corner cutting can make the conditions so muddy that it is sometimes almost like a gravel event! It's not my favourite sealed surface rally, but I believe we can target a top finish. I was very pleased with my C4 WRC after our pre-event tests, and asphalt tends to suit me. We will be looking for a good result and a podium finish would be a positive outcome for both Citroen and us."
Jari-Matti Latvala:
"I had two really good days, covering 230km on the first day and 200km on the next [during pre-event testing for Germany]. It was 30ºC and clear blue skies so I hope the rally is like that. I learned a lot about the tyres and I believe I have a better set-up for this rally than the last asphalt event in Monte Carlo. When the series switches from one surface to another, and especially after a long time away from asphalt, it's important to have the chance of a good test with plenty of kilometres. The weather is so important on this rally. If it's wet then the countryside stages in Saarland are difficult, if it's dry the vineyard stages are the trickiest. They're very technical roads with many tight junctions and the surface is always dirty. There will be many asphalt specialists to battle with here but I posted good times on the final day in Monte Carlo so a top five finish is my target."
Petter Solberg [Subaru WRT]:
"Germany is a rally I like, but one I've had mixed experiences on. It's fast, but it's very unforgiving. We have done two days' testing in the new car on asphalt, and Markko has done a few more days, so it's relatively new for us but things so far are feeling good. We've been fast in Germany in the past so we will see what we can do there in the new car. It's a new car on new tyres, so there will be a lot of learning for the team, but it's important ahead of Spain and Corsica."
Henning Solberg [Stobart VK M-Sport Ford WRT]:
"I think this will be a challenging event for me as I have only done the event once before and that was last year. But we still need to collect points and the aim is for a good result. The best way for me to achieve this is to concentrate on improving my performance from last year and get closer to the top guys' times on tarmac. Then we will see how that leaves us in the overall classification. I like the more open, normal road stages but find it difficult on the military ranges. I need to feel the car flowing and on those stages it is very stop and start and you can't really get into a good rhythm."
Gigi Galli [Stobart VK M-Sport Ford WRT]:
"OK my experience in Germany is not as great as some of the other rallies but I know this car is very good on tarmac so I am looking forward to seeing what it can do. Last time we were on tarmac was way back in January in Monte Carlo so I think it will take some stages to get used to the feeling again. Last time we were here was in 2005 and we ended up finishing fifth so another result like this will be fantastic this year. The super special on Sunday will be amazing, it is a beautiful city which is filled with fans who go crazy when the rally is in town!"
Matthew Wilson [Stobart VK M-Sport Ford WRT]:
"We have just come from a difficult rally in Finland and now we are going to another one in Germany. The event is like three different rallies in three days over different types of stages and each with their own unique challenges. We will have a test before the rally which will be a huge benefit especially after not having driven on tarmac since January and for sure that will help to give us a good feeling for the start of the event. As always the weather here can also make a big difference so the safety crews will have a huge part to play."
