28.05.2007 @ 19:27:04

Sardinia was tough, Greece will be tougher
The works Citroën team had to contend with mixed feelings following Rally d'Italia Sardegna. Sebastien Loeb erred, went into a ditch and retired on the last day, while Dani Sordo reached the third step of the podium.

Team principal Guy Fréquelin reflects on the Sardinian experience.

Have you recovered from your disappointment in Sardinia?

"Yes and no! 'Yes' because you have to tell yourself that this sort of thing can happen to even the best of them and that nothing is sealed in either championship despite the outcome of the Italian round. 'Yes', too, because Dani put in a fine performance and that was very encouraging. Finally, 'yes' because the team worked well and we didn't have the slightest problem with the C4. On the other hand, though, the fact that this incident occurred while Seb had a good lead and wasn't even pushing is really infuriating."

Would you agree that the Acropolis is the toughest round of the season? How have you prepared for it?

"You know, despite its debonair aspects, Sardinia also has some pretty rough stages, but the terrain in Greece is indeed extremely hard and aggressive on tyres, while the heat only serves to accentuate the challenge.
There is also the problem of punctures and I hope our pre-event testing will enable us to take that in our stride. In Italy, the Citroën C4 WRC proved very reliable for such a recent car. I touch wood that this will be the case again in Greece."

Once you have finished with the Acropolis Rally, will you consider that the toughest half of the season for Citroën is behind you?

"We must first of all finish this event! All the rounds are now sprints; it's almost as though the championship was just one rally comprising 16 stages. You need to do well in all of them to stand a chance of a top result at the end of the year. On paper, the rest of the season may appear favourable to Citroën but I prefer to keep up my guard. We mustn't think that the sealed surface events will be easy. Anything can happen just as easily on asphalt..."
Citroen Sport