Portugal countdown: Fighting talk: Part 1
Our first instalment of quotes from the WRC drivers ahead of Rally de Portugal
Mikko Hirvonen, Ford Fiesta RS: “The feeling with the Fiesta is getting better and better”
“The stages are very unforgiving. The smallest of mistakes can be extremely costly so your lines have to be absolutely perfect.
The weather can also play a big role here. Some years it is dry and dusty and really hard on the tyres, and other years it can be the muddiest event of the year!
Personally, I hope it stays relatively dry so that we can make the most of our road position and really attack through the first day.
The feeling with the Fiesta is getting better and better so I hope that we can have a clean run and continue where we left off in Mexico.”
Our first instalment of quotes from the WRC drivers ahead of Rally de Portugal
Kris Meeke, Citroen DS3: "What I need is to be consistent.”
“After Mexico, driving the Citroën DS3 WRC in testing helped to boost my confidence. At sea level, the car has significantly more power and there is a lot more grip on this type of road surface.
I know that this rally can be particularly complicated. For my first appearance here, it won’t be easy. I feel a little bit frustrated after Mexico.
I need to rack up more miles in the car and that will be my main objective in Portugal. If I can keep out of trouble then inevitably the result will look after itself. What I need is to be consistent.”
Juho Hanninen, Hyundai i20: “The aim is still to finish”
“I’m really looking forward to my first rally on gravel with the i20 WRC. After doing a lot of testing with the team last year and some specific preparation for this event, I have quite a good feeling with the car and I think we have a good set-up for this rally.
Of course the aim is still to finish without any problems but we would be very happy if we could set some good stage times and maybe even finish in a nice position.”
Robert Kubica, Ford Fiesta RS WRC: “The goal is definitely to stay on the road”
“This is the first WRC event that I have contested before so I know more or less what to expect. Of course there are some different stages and some changes of direction compared to last year. In fact close to 50 per cent of the rally will again be new to me, but we know what to expect in terms of the nature and character of the stages.
After a difficult start to the season, I would like to get through this event without any mistakes. It will not be easy and it will be another new lesson for me. We will have to wait and see if past experience will help, but the goal is definitely to stay on the road and drive a nice smooth rally."