JWRC: Q&A: Martin Prokop and Jan Tomanek.

Driver / co-driver: Martin Prokop and Jan Tomanek (Citroen C2 S1600).

Press conference.

Q:
Martin, yesterday you didn't think a win was possible, but here you are!

Martin Prokop:
This rally was always going to be a bit difficult. We expected that. We lost 40 seconds after problems with the power steering on the first stage and then it was impossible to catch S?bastien [Ogier]. We decided to drive and wait and see what happens. But we didn't believe it was possible that he would make a mistake. We waited for a puncture or something with the car. It was quite boring then, there was nobody to fight. It was hard to explain, not so good.

Q:
How was today?

MP:
We were relaxed. It's very easy on tarmac to play with the times - you can slow and speed up, not like gravel. When the spectators were looking to us today, it was really terrible, like we were driving on the streets. But we didn't want to make the same mistake. I don't know why he made the mistake.

Q:
You lost motivation yesterday, why was that?

MP:
The aim was to be first. We won this rally before and finished second after a big fight last year. We just wanted to fight for the first place. We were disappointed. We were looking for motivation to carry on. The motivation came again and we had one more chance.

Q:
We have seen you win in the JWRC and PWRC this year, but you are not in contention for either Championship title, that must be frustrating for you?

MP:
Yes. We spoke many times this year. It's a big disappointment for all of the team. We had a lot of technical problems and retired from a lot of podium places. Now we're on the podium and we can fight almost for a podium overall. The other guys came to the finish, but they can't fight. We can show our speed and say we are faster.

Q:
Do you have anything sorted for next year?

MP:
It's a hard question. We have to decide what we will do, whether we continue in both Championships. Just now we are not ready with this, but for sure we will continue in the Production WRC and we will see with the Junior WRC.

Q:
Last time you won a Production event, your co-driver shaved his head and beard! What's he going to do this time?

MP:
We have to find something new for him to do! It's a real party. After this terrible season we are back and fighting and finding some good feelings.

Q:
It's a good confidence boost for next week...

MP:
We are only missing a little the confidence on asphalt because we didn't have a test. I feel confident in my driving. We will do our best and try to fight with S?bastien [Ogier] on his home rally.

Q:
You had a fairly big gap behind you going into today's stages. Was it a fairly comfortable drive today?

MP:
The rally was the easier than last year. Before there were much bigger cuts and lots of gravel and sand across the road. For me it was a really easy rally. Next week in Corsica it won't be as easy as this rally. I feel very confident however.