Rallye Sanremo: Post-event press conference

Sunday, 05 October 2003

Attending:
Loeb/Elena (Citroen)
Panizzi/Panizzi (Peugeot)
Martin/Park (Ford)
Guy Frequelin (Citroen)

Q: (to Sebastian Loeb) What were you thinking about the rain?

SL: "I was very worried because it has been very difficult to stay on the road, when started raining. Now I have good possibilities to win the Championship. It will be not easy but I feel good".

Co-driver Daniel Elena adds: "After Corsica may be we will lead".

Q: How many possibilities do you have to win the championship?

SL: "We have good chance to win the championship, the car was very good on tarmac. I have had a good feeling here, so I hope the same for Corsica and the others".

Q: (to Gilles Panizzi) How did you make the right tyres choice ?

GP: "Michelin has built the wet weather tyres, and I used them! It has been difficult for us but I understood the problem of Sebastian. I tried all the rally to find the solution that at the beginning had the wrong set-up .I am happy to be on 2nd position"

Q: What do you think about Peugeot?

GP: "In this rally we have lost Gronholm who was really in a good position, and it has been a pity".

Q: How optimistic are you for Corsica?

GP: "I don't know. We hope to take the maximum points in the next rallies . I hope we will win".

Q: (to Herve Panizzi) What do you think about Gilles?

HP: "His driving has been as good as last year, but the others have improved a lot more"

Q: (to Markko Martin) Are you happy?

MM: "I am happy with my third place but I am sad for many problems I had and for many points I lost on the way". "We had the speed, it was a big fight with Sebastian who did a good rally, it was difficult to beat him and we have a slight chance to win the Championship. Now my aim is to win a race on asphalt before finishing the season, as everybody is saying that the Focus is the best car at the moment".

Co-driver Michael Park says: "Loeb has been excellent on tarmac but even Markko was very good".

Q: (to Guy Frequelin - Citroen) What's happening now?

GF: "Our aim is to win the manufacturer and drivers champiosnhip and we can make it. The last three competitions will be very hard, but I think that everything will be decided in the last event that will take place in England".

-fia-