“I think I need to look ahead now,” he noted. “It's clear that the three last events have been really difficult. In Finland, I went off, then in Japan our mistake with our seatbelts not fastened properly and then Cyprus… Really, I still can't explain myself what happened there and what went through my mind. I hope just everything is going to be back to normal. I feared it would have been weird to get back behind the wheel in Turkey, but fortunately I have had two days testing with
Citroen Sport, which really helped. I feel much better and have more confidence.”
BP Ford:
[Marcus Gronholm, car #3 and
Mikko Hirvonen, car #4.]
Marcus Gronholm has been handed an outside chance to take the title, following
Sebastien Loeb's mountain bike accident. Although the Finn trails the Frenchman by 35 points, it is currently uncertain when Seb will return, and although he looks likely to be back for the final two events in New Zealand and Britain, assuming Gronholm can win in Turkey this weekend and in Australia at the end of the month, that would cut the gap to 15 points. As such Marcus' title prospects would be given a big boost, although admittedly he would still be on the back-foot.
"I'm not really thinking about the drivers' championship at the moment," said Gronholm. "I will be driving in Turkey to win the rally and then I will go to Australia to try to do the same. I will try to avoid problems, avoid mistakes and then if everything goes well I hope to win this rally. If we keep clear of big problems for the rest of the season then we have a very good chance of winning a championship - and the manufacturers' title still looks our best option.”
As for Turkey itself, Gronholm is hoping the weather forecast is wrong, as he would definitely like it to stay dry: "The roads here are not as rough as Greece and Cyprus. They can be rocky in places but unless it rains they are good to drive. If it is wet, they quickly become horrible and muddy and that can be tricky if we're not expecting it," he added.
Gronholm's team-mate,
Mikko Hirvonen meanwhile has set his sights on third in the drivers' championship, after closing the gap to
Daniel Sordo to just two points. Hirvonen has been on fire of late and has had a fantastic run, taking five podiums from the last six rallies. In contrast Sordo has endured a difficult spell and going to Turkey this coming weekend, the momentum is definitely with the Finn, who will compete on this event for the third time, having retired in 2003 and taken sixth back in 2004.
"Turkey is similar to Cyprus but less extreme in every way," said Mikko. "The roads are faster and wider, they are not as rough and the temperatures are a bit cooler. In some places there are stones lying in the road and because the speeds are higher it's easy to damage the car. It has been raining there and while it is dying, I think there will still be damp and muddy places. Even a small amount of rain changes the road surface quickly.”
Subaru World Rally Team:
[
Petter Solberg, car #5 and
Chris Atkinson, car #6.]
Petter Solberg has admitted that while it will probably be tough for the Banbury-based outfit in Turkey, he is still going to aim for a podium. The Norwegian has managed that feat twice to date in Turkey, in three attempts, finishing second in 2005 and third in 2004. Furthermore while this season hasn't gone to plan for him or the team, 'Hollywood' is by no means giving up and has vowed to do the best he can.
“The Turkish rally is good, I like the stages a lot and it's one that normally suits our car and tyres pretty well,” he noted. “We've shown good speed there in the past and I'm going to do the best job I can this time too. When it comes to setting a personal goal for the rally, I really want to say that I'll fight for a win, but given our current form that will be very difficult. So I'm aiming for a podium.
“Who knows though maybe there will be the chance of something better. Things can change very quickly in this sport, and for sure things will turn around for us sooner or later.”
Subaru sporting director, Luis Moya meanwhile has more modest expectations and has said that he will be happy if Solberg and number two driver,
Chris Atkinson both finish in the top six, assumingly best of the rest after the two works
BP Ford cars and the two Kronos
Citroen entries.
