Wales Rally GB : Leg One Press Conference

Leg One Press Conference

Rally of Great Britain

www.worldrallypics.com

23 October 2009, 9:09 pm

End of leg press conference 23.10.2009 Cardiff

Present:

Sebastien Loeb
Mikko Hirvonen
Petter Solberg

Q: Seb, what an awesome day out there today. How are you feeling?
SL: I feel happy. It's a good battle and I am still in the lead after today, so that's good. I know there's a long way to go though, and it is very hard. We are pushing to the maximum all the time. In the morning I had a very good start and then in the afternoon Mikko closed the gap a bit. So it's like that: we will see tomorrow.

Q: At the end of the final stage, you said you wanted to be first on the road tomorrow. Why?
SL: Because Mikko was faster than me in the afternoon! So I think, OK, maybe I can try that.

Q: We are hearing that the weather tomorrow will be torrential rain. That will make things really tricky out there...?
SL: Yes. It was very easy today without that! For sure if it's raining a lot and foggy it will be very difficult.

Q: Mikko, Seb took quite a bit of time out of you in the morning. How were you feeling going into that mid-point service break?
MH: Well I was a bit nervous I tell you, and I thought is this how it's going to be, with him pulling away from me all the time? But luckily in the afternoon I found a nice rhythm and I managed to get some time out of him so it was good. At least we are still in the fight so he can't take it so easy.

Q: Both of you said it was flat out from the start, but how many risks are you taking out there to get these kind of times?
MH: We are saving some for tomorrow when we drive in the fog and rain and then maybe we will take some risks (Petter Solberg jokes: "I have seen their lines!"). It's so slippy and so fast you end up being in the ditch every second corner but that's normal.

Q: Seb's won the Championship five times now, and for you this is the biggest rally of your career so far. Are you enjoying it?
MH: Yes I am again now. Like I said, I was a bit worried in the morning but now I am having a good time again and when the fight is so intense all the time it is fantastic when you get it right. I'm sure by tomorrow and Sunday it will be an enjoyable time.

Q: Petter, an incredible fight with these boys in front! You are having your own fight, though, with Dani Sordo. Are you happy at the end of Day One being in third?
PS: I am very happy! It's very difficult to keep up with them today, and I think they are absolutely pushing to the limit. But hopefully tomorrow with my better starting position it will be possible to get a little closer to them. It has been really exciting. First day with the C4 in proper muddy conditions and it's going faster and faster all the time. So hopefully we will be even closer to them tomorrow.

Q: Do you think you can catch these boys in front or have they edged out too much of a lead over you?
PS: I think it is difficult to catch them, I must say, but I will try tomorrow! (crowd applauds).

Q: Seb back to you finally. Mikko is still going to be pushing and Petter will be pushing as well. Has this been so far one of the most exciting rallies of your career?
SL: For sure it's always exciting when you know a title is at the end of the weekend. It makes it a bit special, so yes I had a lot of pleasure today in the car and I hope tomorrow also.

TEAM MANAGERS' PRESS CONFERENCE

Present:

Malcolm Wilson, BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
Olivier Quesnel, Citroen TOTAL World Rally Team
Mario Isola, Motorsport Manager, Pirelli Star Driver

Q: Olivier, this battle could go down the final stage! Have you got the nerves to stand it?
OQ: It's OK. Anyway we have already got the manufacturer's title so we are delighted for Citroen. So now it is down to Seb to do what he needs to do to win the driver's title. It will be close!

Q: Malcolm, it seems like Mikko and Seb have been in a class of their own today.
MW: If you look at the times they are 40s ahead of Petter Solberg and I think it is amazing. It reminds me of a Marcus Gronholm and Sebastien Loeb battle when they used to be so close together. To have that sort of advantage after day one just shows the determination they have to win this event.

Q: What happened with Jari-Matti today?
MW: Somehow the car wasn't working for him on the first stage and he didn't actually break the driveshaft, but the driveshaft joint. So he had to do the rest of the day in two and a bit wheel drive which wasn't easy for him. I'm sure he will fight back tomorrow.

Q: Torrential rain expected tomorrow. Would you rather be first on the road or second?
MW: I think in this rally in these conditions it doesn't really make any difference. Personally I would rather we be second on the road tomorrow but to be honest the real day will be on Sunday. With 80kms and no chance to change the tyres it will be a very difficult day.

Q: Mario, let's turn to the Pirelli Star Drivers. It's been the first year of the programme and a couple of drivers have really shone this year. Are you happy?
MI: We are very happy with the programme and this is a long rally, so we will see tomorrow. The weather will be a big test for the drivers tomorrow and as everyone has the same tyres it will be a fair fight.

Sebastien Loeb has won Rallye Monte-Carlo for a sixth time following a dominant performance behind the wheel of the Citroen DS3 WRC he shares with Monegasque co-driver Daniel Elena.

Of the 74 starters who began Wales Rally GB in Llandudno on Thursday 10th November, 40 were classified at the end of the four-day,1860 kms rally which featured 23 timed special stages as it wound its way from the North coast to the ceremonial finish in Cardiff.

As this year's Wales Rally GB - the final and deciding round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship - draws to a close, Business Minister, Edwina Hart has announced a funding package of £1.4 million for the 2012 event.

Useful Contacts

Welsh Government

World Rally Championship

Information on Cardiff

Conwy and Llandudno

Further Information

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