Meet the crews session - Shakedown

Participants:
Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Motorsport
Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Motorsport
Kris Meeke, Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team

Q:
Jari-Matti, a great start for you, fastest in the shakedown. Are you feeling confident for this event?
J-ML:
My feeling is good. Last year, the speed was fine, but the final part of the event didn’t go to plan. This year, I am more confident coming here. I want to see the finish line, that is quite clear. The car is good and I am looking forward to the event.

Q:
This event has been tough for Volkswagen, it has been tough for you and Seb. Can you change that for this year, third time lucky?
J-ML:
Yes, that is why we are here, to try to change this. But we will see, we will know on Sunday. Preparation has been done very carefully and all things are in order. But as we all know, a rally develops over the days as we are driving. You have to keep focussed until the very last stage, the very last corners. Andreas and Kris were very fast this morning, Sébastien will be there, so I think the fight is going to be hard. If the sun is shining, the grip level is quite consistent and times will be close to each other.

Q:
Your performance on tarmac has greatly improved over the years, you have got a win under your belt, but can you go and win it here, though?
J-ML:
I also like driving on tarmac, it is a really good feeling. I have been leading this rally in 2013 and 2014, but I haven’t been able to bring it to the end, so that would be the target. On the other hand, it is a very important rally for Volkswagen as it is its home event, so to finish in the top three would be very nice and that would be the idea first. But if you have a chance of victory, you have to keep fighting for that.

Q:
Andreas, congratulations on the results in shakedown this morning. Last year, you were on the podium, you took third place away. This year, can you go better than third?
AM:
We will see. We haven’t been driving on tarmac since Monte Carlo, which was six months ago, so a very long time. The feeling was great this morning. The feeling for tarmac came pretty quickly and I do believe that we have the possibility to fight at the front in this rally. I do believe that the second day on the Panterplatte and the military area will be tricky for me. I haven’t done the test there, but I have to rely on the information from Jari-Matti and Seb and I am confident for this rally.

Q:
Do you think they will give you good info, though? You are a rival, after all.
AM:
Can you imagine Jari lying? (laughs). No, I trust him.

Q:
ADAC Rallye Deutschland has many different elements, the vineyards, the military area. What is your favourite out there?
AM:
I have to say that I have been struggling with Germany before, but recce this year went quite well and I enjoy it more and more. Especially, when the weather stays dry, I really like that. I have only been testing in the dry, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for dry weather.

Q:
It’s going to rain on Sunday, I hear.
AM:
No, you are wrong (laughs).

Q:
Kris, do you know whether it will rain on Sunday?
KM:
Definitely maybe (laughs).

Q:
So what conditions would suit you best? The wet or the dry?
KM:
Last year, we had a very changeable event. If it is a little bit humid and damp, the guys who are running up front on the road have a little bit of an advantage and we have seen that last year. This year, if it stays like this, it should be more consistent. Last year was my first tarmac rally in over three years. I was quite happy with my speed. I am feeling much more at home this year. When I did the recce this year, I felt so much more comfortable and hopefully that will translate into our speed on the stages. In the shakedown, we could keep up with the Volkswagen boys, but we have seen all year and now for two years that it is very difficult to beat them on pure pace. But like we have seen last year, anything can happen in this rally and if I can put myself in a good position, hopefully Citroën can have another strong result.

Q:
You are one of the few drivers who have been able to compete with the Volkswagens. We have seen incredible speed from you. Do you feel a bit of pressure, knowing that you are the man that everyone else looks to outside the Volkswagen group to set the great times?
KM:
Maybe I am the only one stupid enough to take the risk (laughs). But I want to fight and I want to win. It is nice to be in a fight with these guys and we will see. Being in the fight and having good speed is one thing, but bringing home the points is the other thing. Unfortunately, we haven’t done that enough this season. I need to get more points. It is always nice to battle for the lead, but I certainly have to start bringing home some points at the end of the rally.

Q:
This is a challenging event, but it is one you actually enjoy?
KM:
Yes, I have done it a few times over the years and I always had a good speed here. The stages are technical and super fast and you certainly have to disconnect the brain on this one. Everything comes out quickly, you can’t think too much, you just have to let it happen. Hopefully, the rhythm is there right from the start and these guys don’t pull too much gravel and we can all have a clean road.