Q&A: Gabriel Pozzo.

Round six of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship in Argentina (May 16-19), will be special for the Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team, as 2001 Group N World Champion Gabriel Pozzo/Daniel Stillo will get their first ever factory team opportunity in Octavia WRC.

The pair from Cordoba will join the regular crews of Kenneth Eriksson/Tina Thorner and Toni Gardemeister/Paavo Lukander at their home rally, as they replace the crew of Stig Blomqvist/Ana Goni.

"I was really happy to hear the news. Together with Daniel, we will try our best for the team in Argentina. At the same we will try not to think that much about the fact I am in front of my fans," the 23 year old Argentinean said. Here Pozzo talks about competing at his home event, driving the Octavia WRC and a lot, lot more:

Q:
You have been driving private Octavia WRC already in Catalunya and Cyprus. What are your impressions?

Gabriel Pozzo:
The first time you drive a world rally car you can feel there's a big difference to any other car. It is truly a rally car. The next thought you have is that it surely must be very difficult to drive - and then you realise that you can easily and quickly get adapted to the car, because there are a lot of options - particularly the electronic ones - to drive it. I really was very happy after driving the Octavia WRC on those two events.

Q:
Could you compare driving a Group N car with a WRC? What surprised you the most?

GP:
Driving a Group N car is so dramatically different from driving a World Rally car. A Group N car is almost a standard one, the WRC car is a race car. What surprised me most is the performance of the Octavia WRC over rough surfaces. You can always sort it out, the car never stops. Besides, you can drive far more easily, because you can count upon the sophisticated equipment that helps you to handle the car. In a Group N car it is your body you have to rely on for the driving. On the other hand, you put your technical skills to the test when driving the Octavia WRC. Electronics help you to achieve better concentration and more thoughtful driving.

Q:
What does it mean for you to compete in a WRC works team on your home soil?

GP:
It means a lot to me to drive a works car at my home event. I think that for any rally driver, to become a part of a team such as Skoda Motorsport, and to compete in front of the fans is very important. Together with my co-driver Daniel, we will try our best in Argentina, and at the same time we will try not to think that much of the fact we are in front of our fans.

Q:
Could you describe the specifics of the Argentina Rally?

GP:
This is a complicated rally. It has a lot of secrets. You should know where and when to take care of the car. Well, in fact, all WRC rallies have their tricky things. The Rally Argentina is not one of the roughest rallies, but neither is it a rally over the best of surfaces, like New Zealand. It is neither fast nor slow; it is kind of intermediate, a well balanced rally.

Q:
How important is it to have local experience in the Argentina Rally?

GP:
From my point of view, local experience is not a key factor. I've competed three times before in Argentina, but the other work drivers are even more experienced than me. I do not feel I'm a step further. Besides they all have a more complete knowledge of a world rally car.

Q:
The expectations of local fans are surely very high. How do you handle the pressure?

GP:
I try not to think I'm driving in front of my fans. I do what I know best, driving as fast as possible and trying not to make any mistakes. The key is to get a clear goal and to attach to it all rally long.

Q:
Do you have both you and Daniel any driving strategy for the Argentina Rally?

GP:
No, we do no have any special driving strategy. As I said driving as fast as we can without making mistakes. Of course, it does not mean the same to us to compete here in Argentina than in any other place in the world. The main aim is to arrive with the Octavia WRC to the final ramp.

Q:
How did you spend time between Cyprus and Argentina Rally?

GP:
I spent most of the time on logistic matters, trying to make Skoda Motorsport WRT feel comfortable in Argentina. I've chosen the most suitable stages for testing, those which are more representative. This way we can take the most benefit from the tests, a good setting of the Octavia WRC and therefore a good performance during the rally. I trust it will help all of us.