J-WRC drivers at the FIA pre-event press conference.

Florian Niegel and Sebastien Ogier attended the Jordan Rally FIA Junior World Rally Championship press conference on Thursday afternoon. Here’s what they had to say:

Questions to Sebastien Ogier

Sebastien, a fantastic start to your J-WRC campaign in Mexico, where you picked up a WRC driver’s point and put yourself in the history books by doing so. It must have boosted your confidence; can you win in Jordan?
SO: Yes, for sure it was a good start for me. It is more important that I get the experience and to get the same result here would be great.

How did the recce go? Are the stages like anything you have seen before?
SO: It was tricky. I think it will be a good rally and very hot. The stages are not like any other rallies, but this is only my second WRC rally. It is very different.

You did the recce for Argentina; are you planning to recce every rally that is on next year’s calendar?
SO: Yes, normally I will be on Greece. Not sure about the others. We will see, but I want to go maximum.

Dealing with the heat will be a big factor this weekend, have you been doing any extra training to prepare?
SO: I have had no training for the heat. We need to drink a lot. But it will be a very difficult rally.

Which stages do you think are the toughest and why?
SO: I think the long special on the last day will be more difficult.

Questions to Florian Niegel

It’s your first time in the JWRC; what do you hope to achieve this year?
FN: It’s the first season for me. I am sure I will find it very difficult because there are some very good drivers in the J-WRC.

There is a strong field of great drivers in the Championship; do you think you can rival the likes of Ogier and Sandell?
FN: Yes, I watched the first rally on TV. There are lots of good drivers, but I am happy to be here.

It’s your first event in the Championship on a new event for everyone so it could be a level playing field this weekend. Do you think that could work to your advantage?
FN: I hope so. The most important thing for me is to finish the rally. The stages are difficult.

Did everything go well with the recce?
FN: Some stages are very fast. If you make a mistake, rocks are near the road and you have a big problem. It’s important to learn something. We have a new team. A podium would be great. The rally is long, three days and there are some difficult stages.