FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Present:
M-Sport Ford WRT – Ott Tänak (EST), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT – Dani Sordo (ESP), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT – Sébastien Ogier (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

Q:
A question for all drivers - this is the first time we see the Hybrid car compete at this altitude. How did it feel this morning at shakedown? How much of a benefit will it be during the weekend?
OT:
It’s a benefit only for a short time. Like I said, the short time to get the extra power and you only feel it for a very short time. 

SO:
I think it’s nice when you have it but we wish to have it much longer. Still, it’s important to try and manage the best we can and to have it active as much as possible. 

DS:
The same like Seb. 

Q:
Cleaning the road is a tough task on any event, but it's pretty brutal here. From what you’ve seen on the recce how tough will it be and how do you go about stemming the time loss?
OT:
Opening the road, for sure, is like always it is not a benefit to have and we need to manage. It depends on the road and the characteristic. Some places are slow and narrow and there is not too much you can do. On the faster sections we can drive and push a bit harder and keep the speed where the traction is not so much needed. It’s just down to the physics and we have to maximise it. 

Q:
Ott, back in México for the first time since 2020 - how have the stages evolved since then. Is there a difference or are they similar?
 
OT:
It is actually quite similar to years ago. Not too much has changed. There have been some road improvements and the roads have become a bit wider and faster and some corners in a few sections. Generally looking quite similar.  

Q:
How did the pre-event test go and how did you simulate the road at altitude?
OT:
The test was quite okay. It’s a development for the future for one day and we did a test for México and the maps from the engine guys to bring down the engine power here. It always feels a bit different in Europe. I would say all in all we had quite good testing. 

Q:
Is the plan for a big push on Friday to make the best of your road position?
DS:
This is the target of everybody to try and get the times as soon as possible. My road position is quite good and El Chocolate and Las Minas have fast parts. We must focus on the best safety position we can and try and find some time. We will see.

Q:
Dani, welcome back. The longer stages have always been the standout challenge at this event. Would you say El Chocolate and Otates are key?
DS:
The first day is very important for us. We need to try to push on the first day of the rally and try to take the maximum we can. There are other good drivers starting at the back, like Séb, starting five or six, and we need to be faster and be ready for Sunday and the long stage. The rally is not finished until the last day. 

Q:
We kick-off tonight with two short stages run twice. But there are still dangers on such a short stage, aren’t there?
DS:
Yes, short stages but you can make a big mistake there. I am more focused on tomorrow. It is important to see how the stage is and how the conditions are in the tunnels. It is always slippery there. 

Q:
Séb, welcome back. With six outright wins at this event you are the one with all the knowledge of how to achieve success here and you’ve done it previously from first on the road! What are the key ingredients here?
SO:
Well, I have been asked this question many times. Honestly, I don’t think that there is something super specific about winning this one. Obviously, the main difference is the altitude and the fact that we have less power. Being first on the road is not nice but it’s not as hard as a normal rally when you have maximum power. Actually, when you have full grip you cannot use it. Basically, it’s not as bad as in Sardinia, for example. It is possible to win from first on the road. It’s, of course, a tough challenge for us and the same preparation but the altitude simulation is never really the same. It is missing always the temperature in Europe to simulate here. There is no real secret.  It always looks nice but at the end of the day it’s pretty tough and hot and an impact is never good. It is important to look after my car as much as I can. We will see if I still have this magic secret to win.
 
Q:
You are going through stages that you know well.  We have the El Chocolate stage and then Otates on Sunday. Some drivers have said that in El Chocolate there are some loose rocks and maybe more than they remember before. Is that a concern?
SO:
I agree with that. There are more and it’s a bit rougher than it used to be. Being behind we may get more grip but it will be tricky with the rocks and we know that. At the end of the day, we need a bit of luck. Also, Sunday is also a big day so we will get to Saturday night and we still have the longest stage of the event. 

FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP

Present:
WRC2 - Gus Greensmith (GBR), Škoda Fabia RS
WRC2 - M-Sport Ford World Rally Team – Adrien Fourmaux (FRA), Ford Fiesta Rally2
WRC2 / WRC2 Challenger - Kajetan Kajetanowicz (POL), Škoda Fabia Evo
WRC2 / WRC2 Challenger - Jorge Martinez (CHL), Škoda Fabia

Q:
Gus, you are competing in WRC2 this season. How much are you looking forward to this new challenge? 
GG:
Yes, it is very different and the main difference is around 200hp down this year. At the beginning of the year. I am really looking forward to it and the car is behaving well. 

Q:
We saw you in competition at a rally in Portugal a couple recently as a build-up to this. Rali Vieiro do Minho, unfortunately, was pretty snowy and not the best testing ground for this. Did you manage to test much?
GG:
Absolutely, that was one of the reasons we did not go to Sweden. We made the decision that we didn’t want to rush into a new team and a new class and take time to prepare fully. Four days in total testing and I’m feeling very confident.

Q:
How did the car feel on shakedown this morning?
GG:
It still feels quite quick. We are down on power but I was very comfortable on the first run and pushing at a good level already. I was happy with just the one run. 

Q:
The line-up in WRC2 this year is incredible. It’s going to be a string fight. What is the target?
GG:
I think eight drivers with the same target and everyone is going to say to win as many events as they can in the championship. At the end of year whoever wins will be very deserving. It should be good. 

Q:
Adrien, congratulations on winning the Malcolm Wilson Rally at the weekend - slightly different conditions here in México! What are your thoughts?
AF:
For sure, we want to get some good fights. We want to have a good rally. That is really important for us. There is a lot of kilometres at altitude so there will be a big gap to the cars in the WRC. Actually, I was not really happy with the shakedown. We did a tyre choice to save some softs, so it was okay. 

Q:
You were in México last year for the Rally of Nations where you finished second - an advantage having the most recent experience? Or not? 
AF:
No, not really. I think Gus has been here more times than me and Oliver (Solberg) also. I did some stages on Saturday and Sunday but tomorrow will be completely new. 

Q:
Kajto, welcome back to México. The WRC2 title went right down to the wire last year at the final round in Japan with you as runner up. How tough a challenge will it be this year?
KK:
It is about my dreams. Everything is good and we start the new season in México. I am happy to be here again. It’s a beautiful place, with amazing stages and high mountains, high temperatures, so it’s going to be a big challenge for everyone. The team is ready for the fight. 

Q:
You competed here in 2020, so you know what it’s all about. However, you missed out on the Sunday stages. A disadvantage?
KK:
I remember some stages from 2020. Famous stages like (El) Chocolate. I love this stage. It looks different. Some parts are more rough and some parts are stable and more flat. There’s a lot of loose gravel on the top, so I expect that the second pass destroys the road. It is going to be a big challenge for all the cars, not only for us. I love these stages. It’s amazing every stage is different. We have a lot of flowing ones, corners and slippery fesh-fesh, like Safari, in some places. It is difficult but it is nice.  

Q:
Great to see you in México. What are your thoughts on the stages here? 
JM:
I think that they are very difficult. They are very dry and the tyres are going to be a very important issue.  There are a lot of stones on the side of the road. It’s very slippery on some parts of the roads. It is going to be very difficult but nice at the same time. 

Q:
You are a 10-time Chilean national champion. Have you competed on stages demanding as the ones here in México?
JM:
Not really stages like this. In Chile, they are more smooth roads. It’s going to be a new experience for me. 

Q:
What other events are you going to do this year apart from México and Chile?
JM:
I will try to go to Portugal and Greece, that’s the plan.
 
FIA WRC3 AND MASTERS CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

Present:
WRC3 - Diego Dominguez (PRY), Ford Fiesta Rally3
WRC3 / Masters Cup - Jason Bailey (CAN), Ford Fiesta Rally3

Q:
Diego, it’s the first Rally Mexico for you. What is your target for the weekend?
DD:
It’s quite different and a lot tougher than what I saw previously on the videos. Everything is going to be harder for us in WRC3 running behind the other rally cars. We are just going to try to finish and get good points for the championship. 

Q:
Rally Sweden was your first event in the Junior WRC this year, where you were third overall. A good start to the year?
DD:
Yes, for sure, it was my first time on snow and I was happy to be close to the podium and with the points. We were very happy with the result.  

Q:
In your opinion, which day is the toughest for the drivers in WRC3?
DD:
Definitely for the WRC3 drivers all days are going to be tough. If I had to say one, maybe day two with the long stages.

Q:
Jason, this will be your fourth start at Rally México, this time in a Rally3 Fiesta. Do you feel that the stages have evolved?
JB:
Absolutely, they are better this year than I have ever seen before. They have graded them, laid down gravel and there is a lot of loose gravel. But, in general, they are unquestionably the best conditions I have seen. By the time the big boys go through, I am sure that will not the case.

Q:
What is your target for the weekend?  
JB:
I have been the fastest two-wheel drive every time. Sometimes just getting up a hill is a championship-winning feat. We did have one year when we broke down. Our goal here is to stay clean and finish and not be completely embarrassed.

Q:
Talk to us about your plans? You’ve been to Monte-Carlo before. 
JB:
I am going to concentrate on the Canadian Championship and we are also planning to go to Kenya. The main focus is the Canadian Championship but I want to race alongside a giraffe and also Japan and Finland. I am a little bit frightened of the crazy Finnish jumps. I am used to the speed of the Rally4. I know that car well. We have completely changed our notes this year. They were way too complicated and too many notes and details before. Keep them clean.