You’re going to carry the colours of the Citroën Total World Rally Team in Rally Finland. How do you feel about this promotion?
“Above all I feel proud and joyful. It’s every driver’s dream to join a works outfit one day. It was already more or less the case with the Citroën Junior Team, which gave me a top-class car to drive. But this represents a step up to the very top of the ladder as I’m joining the reigning world championship team. I’m happy even it means a little bit more pressure and greater expectations of me. I’m trying not to ask myself too many useless questions and I’m preparing for this rally like the previous ones.”
Your first outing comes in a particularly difficult rally for foreign drivers. How are you going to make up for your lack of experience?
“I think I’ve lacked experience in all the rallies since the start of the season! It’s true that Finland is one of the most difficult terrains, but I like this rally. Last year, I was happy just to be able to steadily up the pace to the extent that I set the fastest time in the third stage. It remains to be seen if I feel as good again in the opening stages this year. To help my confidence the team has scheduled three days of tests, which is an enormous boost.
What’s your aim for this rally?
“That’ll depend above all on the objectives the team sets for me. Since the start of the season we’ve shown that we can take the fight to the best on gravel. Even if it’ll certainly be difficult, a podium would be a great result.”