Q&A: Didier Auriol.

Skoda's Didier Auriol will take part in the Wales Rally GB this weekend, here he reflects on October's busy schedule of events and looks ahead to the exciting finale of the 2003 World Rally Championship...

Q:
Didier [Auriol], are you glad that October is behind us?

Didier Auriol:
It was incredibly difficult. There were three rallies so close together and no time for testing. If we could have had a bit more time between rallies I am sure that we could have found half a second per kilometre just with suspension development based on what we learned.

Q:
What about your family when you are away so long?

DA:
I had some problems on the rallies, of course, but at least it gave me a few unexpected extra days at home with my family. It was school holiday time immediately after Catalunya so I was able to spend more time with everyone. That's a very important thing for me and it will be worse next year with 16 events.

Q:
Speaking of next year, what is your position?

DA:
I am still talking with Skoda Motorsport because I would like to continue driving in the WRC. Nothing is yet decided so we must wait a little longer before I can say anything for certain.

Q:
The World Championship positions are very close for this final round. Who would you tip for the title?

DA:
Before the start of Corsica I thought that the title would go to Sebastien Loeb. He is obviously very quick on asphalt but we saw in Australia that he can surprise people on gravel as well. Now I think that the balance is with Petter Solberg but I know that funny things can happen on Rally GB with the title. I won my championship there in 1994 despite only finishing sixth and I also lost it there two years earlier when I stopped on the 26th of 34 stages. Anything can happen.