Six drivers talk about ArgentinaBefore Rally Argentina began, six drivers participated in the pre-event FIA press conference : Chris Atkinson, Luis Perez Companc,
Sebastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen, Gabriel Pozzo and Niall McShea.
Q: Chris, welcome to Argentina. This
is an important event for you as it's the first one you're doing with your new co-driver, Stephane Prevot. How difficult was it to come up with a replacement for Glenn MacNeall? Have there been any language difficulties, given that you are Australian and he is Belgian?
CHTIS ATKINSON : Okay, it's not easy but the most important thing was to make the right choice, weigh up all the options and not rush into a decision. I think we've made the right one. Change can be for the better and so I'm looking forward to it. The language difference seems not to be a problem as long as Stephane speaks English and not French! Okay, there's an accent there, but all he is reading is a number and letter and as long as they're clear, it's cool.
Q: Welcome to your home event Luis. How does it feel to be here in the capital city of Argentina, at the River Plate stadium? Is this stadium a place you know well? What do you think about the whole idea of having the Super Special here on Thursday, and also the layout of the stage that has been constructed?
LUIS PEREZ COMPANC: My home event is always the most important rally to me. And now the first stage is in Buenos Aires, where I was born. So now I'm a local hero and so I have to go well. It's great to be here in the River Plate stadium. I've always been a big football fan and I have the colours on my car.
I think the cars will be sideways a lot here and so the spectators will enjoy it.
Q: Hello Seb. You come here to Argentina leading the Drivers' Championship, after Portugal. Did you expect that? You're one point ahead: how much easier does that make your life and does it hand you a psychological advantage? If you win here this year it would be your third consecutive victory in Argentina – equalling Tommi Makinen's record – so how hard are you going to be pushing to make that happen?
SEBASTIEN LOEB: Sure it's always really a big battle with Marcus (Grönholm) and now we are leading with one point, but that's very little with 11 rounds to go. But I'm very happy to be in this position because we have a new car this year and it proves it is good on all surfaces. Psychologically it's not a big thing or an advantage. If Marcus finishes in front of me here he will be leading the Championship so one point is not a big difference. For me I'm not running after records. The most important thing for me is to do well in the Championship and get good results. Sure I want to win, but my aim is not really to equal Tommi's record.
Source Rally Argentina
