Present:
1st - Marcus Grönholm – BP Ford World Rally Team
1st - Timo Rautiainen – BP Ford World Rally Team 
2nd - Manfred Stohl – OMV-Peugeot Norway
2nd - Ilka Minor – OMV-Peugeot Norway – second co-driver
3rd - Petter Solberg – Subaru World Rally Team
3rd - Philip Mills – Subaru World Rally Team
Representative of the winning manufacturer BP-Ford World Rally Team, Malcolm Wilson

Welcome to the FIA post-event press conference.

Q:
Marcus, congratulations on your seventh win of the year. Again, you took the lead from the start, but did you expect a bigger fight from the others? Did you have any real problems here?

MG:
Okay Mikko was quite close in the beginning but then he retired and then it was Petter who was trying to catch me. Then he had a spin or something on Saturday morning, after that it was quite easy. Not easy, but it was one-minute so it was easier to control. No problem with the car; absolutely nothing. Just a small spin today in the morning, small, yes, so that was the only problem.

Q:
Timo, congratulations on your seventh win with Marcus. In terms of number of wins, how does it feel to end your most successful season ever? Talking about this rally, did you enjoy it? Was everything under control or did you feel any pressure?

TR:
It’s a good feeling to end with two wins; it’s the same way we started the season. We did everything we were expected to do this year, except to clinch the Drivers’ title. That is still a bit in my mind that we could have done it, but maybe we can stop this flying Frenchman in 2007 and win the first 10 rallies in a row and then be at home six rallies on a sofa and watch it on television! There were some stages that were quite enjoyable on Saturday when it was not raining so much and the road conditions were okay. But to be honest I have to say that when it’s heavy rain, bad visibility and no grip at all, I don’t enjoy it at all, no, I don’t know who would enjoy that but not me.

Q:
Manfred, congratulations on second place - that equals your best-ever career result. Could you have challenged for the win? How comfortable did you feel in second and was Petter Solberg a big problem for you? How hard did you have to push in order to make sure of getting this result?

MS:
No, I think Marcus was controlling it very easily all rally. I was a little surprised by his mistake today but the conditions were so s**t that everything can happen and even if you go a bit slower it’s still dangerous behind every corner. I mean on the first and second day I pushed hard, today I was expected that Petter would just in the morning start a big attack. But when I saw the time I saw he managed on the second stage then has deserved the second position actually then he made the mistake and gave us a bit of an advantage again.

Q:
Many people said that the final day of the rally was actually the most difficult – what did you think? Which day contained your favourite stages here? Did you have any heart-stopping moments?

IM:
Yeah, it was the same opinion for me. I said before the rally that the big day is Sunday; it was already the same last year that these stages are in the opposite direction they are always difficult to drive and today in the bad conditions with the heavy rain it was not easy. I just had one moment, when Timo put the top of the champagne bottle in my face! We had some moments but it was quite a good season for us. We had a moment in Sweden and we had a big accident in testing in Catalunya. That was not so nice but at the end it was fine.

Q:
Petter, are you mostly pleased to finish third or disappointed because this is the first time in five years when you haven’t won this event? You had your fair share of problems, such as the broken steering rack yesterday. Without those problems do you think you could have challenged for victory?

PS:
It was good to get some champagne again this year; it’s a long time ago. I’m happy with third. We tried very hard from the start and we had some ups and downs and tried to get back again. I tried anyway, I tried very hard to get everything right, to have a good end to the season and hopefully try to get the win but unfortunately Marcus did it but I’m quite happy in general with many things this weekend. It’s difficult to say but I was in good form and the small improvements we did with the car before the rally was working really. I think I gave him a bit of a hard time but it’s too late now.

Q:
Phil, you’re a veteran of these stages. How did this year’s Wales Rally GB compare to all the others you have competed on? What effect did the move to December have on the conditions? Would you say that this has been a classic Rally GB?

PM:
For sure yeah, it’s gone back to its more traditional date and obviously the weather plays a big part. The conditions were more like the old Rally GB year’s gone by. When we ran in September we had a lot drier roads but now it’s back to full mud and full rain, everything that they can throw at you. So it’s very difficult, one of the bigger challenges. Obviously Turkey this year was a huge challenge for everyone with the conditions there and I think this is on about the same level as that.

Q:
Malcolm, congratulations on another win for Marcus and Ford. Did you enjoy this rally more than you did the previous round in New Zealand, given that the pressure was off for the Manufacturers’ Championship?

MW:
Well it was nice to let the drivers do what they wanted and obviously quite nice for me the fact that they weren’t putting me under pressure on this rally, as you know they were in New Zealand where they kept really trying to make the job even more difficult for me... In fairness we haven’t had a chance to reflect on what’s been achieved but we’re obviously delighted. I think the fact it is 27 years since we won the championship and I think a lot of people probably find it more amazing that it is 27 years since we won Rally GB so it’s a fantastic feeling to be honest to put Ford back on the top step of the podium here.

Q: 
Last night we had some very heavy rain and winds; what were the stages like today? Was it difficult to find the correct pace in order to protect your advantage? One effect of having Rally GB at this time of year is that there is now less than two months before Monte Carlo starts – do you think that the gap is too short?

MG:
Okay it’s always difficult to drive when you need to go maximum so you have to lift off a little bit and it’s always more moments than usual, but it was quite okay then and I found the right speed and it was okay. Maybe a little bit yes because next week we have to start testing again for next year and it should be a little bit more relaxed but now we have a small rest in the summer as well which is also good.

Q:
What do you think Timo – do you and Marcus have a busy schedule of testing planned? What about your other commitments? How confident do you feel that you will be able to challenge Sébastien for the Drivers’ as well as the Manufacturers’ title next year?

TR:
Time wise it’s okay, I’m happy with the break I have, it’s no problem but for the team it’s a big effort with all the regulations, the ruling of the test days and the test sessions and which countries you can test in that makes a lot of extra work for the teams. And logistics-wise also and now especially towards the end of the year when we have celebrations and prize-givings and sponsor meetings and everything together with the testing it’s a little bit tight that’s true. But on the other hand like Marcus I enjoy the two-month or three month break in summer, that’s something worth it I think.

Q:
What are your plans over the winter Manfred? Looking back over this season, how do you think it has gone? You must be pleased to have finished on the podium so many times in the second half of the season in particular. Does that make life a little easier when you are looking for sponsorship budgets next year? Will we see you in Monte Carlo?

MS:  I think we can be more than happy. We started very good in Monte Carlo and we had another podium in Mexico now the finish of the season is fantastic, there’s nothing more I can say about it. I think when everyone before the season said that this car is so difficult and that we cannot be fast. I was not sure what happened this season but finally everything went perfect for us and I’m very, very happy with the season. I mean I have no problem with my sponsor OMV they are quite good to me and help me a long time; I think now 13 years we have been working together, which is a fantastic situation. But my main aim is to get sooner or later in a factory team and for this I still don’t see any future right now. Monte Carlo is one of the events I like very much and I hope to be there, yes.

Q: 
How would you sum up the season Ilka? What were the biggest highlights for you? Was this rally one of them? How have you seen Manfred develop as a driver this year?

IM:
The last three rallies, starting after Turkey it was quite well because normally Manfred is very tired in the mornings so when we go to the first stage he doesn’t always start very quickly. But the last three events starting in Australia, New Zealand and England he started well from the beginning and that is a good step for the next year and I hope that if we do the whole Championship we can start already in Monte Carlo in the first stage.

Q:
It’s been a tough season for you, but you have always stayed confident and upbeat. How difficult has it been for you to sustain your motivation?  We had some news from Subaru over the weekend about a switch to BFGoodrich tyres from Pirelli next year – what do you think of the move?

PS:
Well we have learnt a lot this year and I think it’s good also to go through your career with a year like this think. It’s been a bit of a long time but we are on the right direction and things are looking good but the guys are absolutely flat out to get the car ready for next year. It is so many obvious things that it will be a big change next year, so I’m staying positive. It’s what you have dreamt about your whole life; to sit behind a steering wheel and okay you get mad sometimes and have some arguments but still I’m very happy to drive and get enjoyment. But still we want to win. That’s the main thing. We have been through one year like this and now no more and we have to start fighting for the victory but now we can start for next year. I’m not sure but Pirelli have done a very good job, we have won many World Championships with them and won many, many rallies, they’ve done a really good job. Next year everyone is on the same tyres and maybe it will be a level field. But you never know maybe they will come back in 2008 and everyone will have to drive with Pirelli. So we will see.

Q:
No win this year, but what’s it like for you to compete at home? Do you get any time off now before preparing for next season? Do you think that this event was one of the most competitive for you all year? What did you think of the super special in the Millennium Stadium?

PM:
It’s the same if you’re a Finn in Finland, it’s your home event. Your home event is your home event. I think for this event it’s got special memories for both of us. We won our first World Championship event here and our first world title here so to compete at home it’s got special memories all the way through this event and yes, it’s good fun.

Q:
We’ve spoken about Marcus but a quick word about Mikko. He was out at an early stage – how disappointed do you feel for him? Do you think he has developed the speed to challenge Marcus? With this season over the focus now switches to 2007. What are the new things that we can expect to see from Ford next year? What will be the chances of a second consecutive Monte Carlo victory?

MW:
The new things? I would like to tell you but not when Petter’s here really! In fairness we are not planning any major changes. The early part of season we will continue with the car we currently have. We feel the important thing for the first half of the season is reliability and to try and capitalise at the start of the season and we’re probably looking at mid-year to doing an evolution of the current car. Okay, we are constantly developing all the time and making changes that are not homologation related and we will continue to do that. As Marcus said, we are testing now in France and Sweden prior to Christmas and basically it’s non-stop on development and we’re recruiting a lot more people on that side as well so I think it’s important we don’t stand still. Well I think we all know that there’s a certain Frenchman who’s got a similar record at Monte Carlo as Petter here and it’s not going to be easy for sure. But I think it’ll be fantastic to have him back in the Championship and I really hope he’s 100 per cent fit for Monte Carlo because there’s going to be some fantastic battles next year.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR:

Derick Allsop
The Independent (Great Britain)
Q:
Marcus, you’re obviously under pressure from your demanding co-driver, do you expect to be as strong as he hopes you are next year and really give Loeb a fight for the Championship?

MG:
Yes, absolutely, yes, why not. This year we were also fighting with him and some rallies okay, there was a few rallies that I couldn’t do so much but nearly all of them we were in front of him in some point, so yes is your answer.

FIA JUNIOR WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA

1st – Jaan Mölder – FIA JWRC
1st - Katrin Becker – FIA JWRC

1st - Patrik Sandell – FIA Junior World Rally Champion*
1st - Emil Axelsson – FIA Junior World Rally Champion co-driver*

Q:
The rally was in many ways decided by punctures in the FIA JWRC. Did you have a deliberate strategy from the beginning to stay out of trouble? How difficult was it to stick to a plan when so many things seemed to be changing all around you? Was it hard to stay concentrated?

JM:
I wouldn’t say it was very difficult. We had the right pace and throughout the rally we kept it and unfortunately the first two days we had no problems at all but on the last day today we had two punctures in the long stages which caused a problem because we had two minutes time loss but compared to the start of course I didn’t think we couldn’t expect anything like this. A lot of drivers had many problems and many retirements and of course that helps us. But we were in a good mood before the rally because we had a test with the car and since the first test we had a good pace. I wouldn’t say so there was not so much pressure. Of course today, this morning we had five seconds with Patrick Sandell the difference that made us push a little bit more and maybe that’s the reason we got the puncture, but I wouldn’t say it was much more pressure.

Q:
How were the conditions on this event for a two-wheel drive car? How much did you struggle for grip and traction? What about the final day – how tricky was that with all the standing water?

KB:
The first two days were not so bad but today it was hell for a two-wheel drive car and it was quite bad but we’re quite happy to finish. 110 per cent.

Q:
You started the year in a Fiesta before switching to a Suzuki Ignis and now a Swift – how easy has it been to switch between all these different cars? How would you sum up your season?

JM:
Let’s say at the beginning of the year it was very difficult because I hadn’t driven a front wheel drive car in a proper rally with it before and we had so little tests. Of course the first car wasn’t that reliable and we had a lot of problems and a lot of retirements and maybe that’s the reason why we are so slow in the Ignis because we had a bad experience and we weren’t that motivated. But this really was good and knowing we’re driving the top car, that’s a good motivation.

Q: 
What have been the highlights for you this year? Do you think that the Junior World Rally Championship has helped you to progress your career? How difficult is it as a young co-driver to make it to the top?

KB:
It’s quite difficult because you expect more from yourself as maybe others do but if it works quite well you are also confident. The more you push the more pressure you put on yourself to be a professional co-driver at this age.

Q:
What are your plans for next year; the Junior Championship again? It’s a good time for Estonian motor sport – you win this rally and maybe Urmo Aava could even have won the title. Do you get a lot of support at home? Do you think this phenomenon is down to Markko Martin?

JM:
JWRC is definitely a good place to be and that’s our goal but we have no certain plans for now yet but we have a few meetings in a few weeks and we hope we will have clearer plans by then. I don’t think it’s all down to Markko Martin. Rallying has been very popular all the time in Estonia and this year Urmo is driving very fast and he had his first win in Turkey and we won here and it’s a big plus for such a small country like Estonia.

Q:
We welcome now the 2006 FIA JWRC Champion, after what can only be described as not only a dramatic day but an incredibly dramatic rally. Patrick it would maybe be best if you talked us through it if you remember it all.

PS:
I can try. The plan for us for this rally was to not do any mistakes. We started on Friday the only goal was to not do any mistakes the second day was to try and push a little bit more and climb the places in the results and we did that too. So the plan was working very well. The first stage this morning I was catching Molder maybe 6km from the end and I was going after him, he had a puncture. Maybe I was a bit stressed because I knew P-G (Andersson) was taking a bit of time on me on that stage. But we talked about that on the road section to the next stage but we were going quite good we just maybe had 5km and too much speed into the next corner and we slid off into the ditch. We maybe thought the season and the story of this season was over, but we heard that P-G was off and then we were thinking that maybe it’s not the end and here we are, and I don’t know what to say.

Q:
Emil can you remember a rally like this? You’ve been from joy to despair and back again?

EA:
No I cannot remember a rally like this. This is the strangest rally I have done. Sometimes you are disppappointed then happy then disappointed then happy, I’ve never been through anything like this before.

Q:
Patrick how much pressure were you under, you came here and you weren’t leading the Championship, Urmo Aava was leading, then as you mentioned you had P-G trying to catch up with you today. How much stress and pressure were you driving with?

PS:
I’ve not been driving on any stress or pressure all season. I always think on every rally that okay this is my first time here, I have to learn and do good pacenotes and have to get to the finish in every event and collect as much experience as possible. But now and then when it was tight in the total thing I cannot say I was stressed about it because I have been thinking the whole season I am not the guy that has to press the other guys because they’ve been doing it many more years so I’m just driving and doing my race and that was the plan for this event also I did not feel any pressure before this rally but before I was maybe thinking a little bit about it but it was not a problem for me, so, no.

Q:
It’s interesting Patrick that you said the other drivers had the pressure on them because you continued a tradition which is the Junior World Champion is always in his first year why do you think that is when there are other more experienced drivers out there?

PS: I don’t know but maybe of course when you have done the ‘juniors’ for many years you maybe get pressure on yourself because you want to take the next step up to the WRC. It’s quite a big step and today you need a lot of money and talent and maybe a lot of people in the Championship, if you take P-G, Guy Wilks, Urmo Aava and Kris Meeke and they are pushing and driving really, really fast. I think the rhythm in this group this year is really fast it’s unbelievable because everyone and you are driving to your limit all the time and there is nothing left on the side in every corner everyone is really pushing to improve all the time. I think it’s good to drive the first year but then you don’t’ have the pressure you are just here and you just try to learn everything. Sometimes you do stupid mistakes and I have done stupid mistakes too. My aim is to continue in the ‘juniors; next year and hopefully I can be at the top then too.

Q:
Emil, after everything that happened today were you worried that the breakdown truck carrying your car to Parc Ferme would breakdown as well?

PS:
Yeah my heart rate was like 220 all the time from the start to post event scrutineering. When you are on the motorway on the M4 you were worrying about a traffic jam or missing the exit all the things so as I said it’s been a tough day and ups and downs all the time.

Q:
Patrick where do you think wining the title will take you? What are your hopes and objectives for next year and beyond?

PS:
I don’t know. My plan was not to win this year but to win next year so I don’t know but I’ve been planning the whole autumn now to do the JWRC next year because I think it’s really good to do the right events. You’re driving together with WRC cars so it’s a perfect place to be if you want to drive in the WRC in the future. That’s my main goal to get to he WRC, but you have to take one step and then another you can’t just jump a step. I think it’s good to do another year and still learn and drive some other events for experience. The plan looks like to continue in the juniors and to learn about Tarmac. We don’t have Tarmac in Sweden I’ve only been doing only one real Tarmac event and the plan is to learn more about that so we can fight for the podium places.

Q:
A question for you both. The Renault Clio is not the most modern or most funded car but you won the Championship anyway. What is it about this car that helped you win this achievement?

EA:
The car has been developed during many years and it doesn’t break down so often and the engineers are doing a good job developing the car so I think it’s more about that and as Patrick said before it’s tight this car it‘s not about having the newest car it’s about getting to the finish line and scoring points on every event. The Clio is really good.

PS:
It’s been a perfect compromise the car. The team and our thoughts on how we want the car to work and almost every wish I have about the car they have fixed for me and I have had good support from Renault Sport and I think that’s the main thing and that. But everything has been working very well and we have had a chance to concentrate on the rallies as we should do.

EA:
We wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for our team they have done am extremely good job during this season and helped us a lot of times.