"I am delighted to see that the Col du Turini and some other classic stages in the southeast corner of France are back. That said, the challenge of having to contest the final day's four stages with the same tyres could well turn out to be quite delicate."

Loeb's team-mate Daniel Sordo meanwhile would prefer there to be no snow, as a pure asphalt event would definitely play to his strengths and help him secure a place on the podium.

"I'm very much looking forward to the start of the Monte Carlo Rally, although we will probably need time to adapt to our new tyres," he added. "We have prepared thoroughly for this event but nothing can replace actually being on the rally. The Monte's stages are fantastic but we will need to stay focused from start to finish if we want to achieve our objective which is a top-three finish with a view to scoring as many points as possible for Citroen."


BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT:

[Mikko Hirvonen, car #3 and Jari-Matti Latvala, car #4]

Mikko sets sights high.

Mikko Hirvonen has vowed to go for 'gold' on the Rallye Monte Carlo.

Mikko will have his first real shot at going for the title this season and while the event at the Principality is traditionally one that is dominated by Sebastien Loeb and Citroen - Seb has won it four times in the last five years - the Finn told Crash.net Radio at the Autosport International Show earlier this month that he has no intention of just going for solid points and trying to limit the damage.

"I think if I want to win the title I need to go to all the rallies and try and win [including Rallye Monte Carlo]. Of course, like always, it depends on what the weather does," he explained. "Last year when it was a dry tarmac rally it didn't really 'feel' like the Rallye Monte Carlo. You always need some ice and some snow and tricky conditions. That is the real Monte.

"Hopefully we will have that this year. But still [whatever happens with the weather] I just need to go there and try and win the rally - and if I can't then I will try to be second."

Asked how important it is to get his campaign off to a good start on the Monte, the BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT-man added that it is crucial.

"It is very important - but of course anything can happen on the Rallye Monte Carlo. It is a difficult rally," he continued. "But if you want to take the title you cannot have any rallies where you don't get any points.

"There is no room for any mistakes or to go off the road. It is going to be tricky but it is the same for everybody. Everybody has to drive in the same conditions. You never know what is going to happen."

Mikko's new team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala meanwhile has said that he will be targeting a top-five finish. Jari goes to the opening round on the back of a superb end to the 2007 season, when he claimed his first podium in Ireland and won a string of special stages in Britain.