FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Current:
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 query for all drivers – that is the primary time we see the Hybrid automotive compete at this altitude. How did it really feel this morning at shakedown? How a lot of a profit will or not it’s through the weekend?
OT:
It’s a profit just for a short while. Like I mentioned, the brief time to get the additional energy and also you solely really feel it for a really brief time. 

SO:
I feel it’s good when you will have it however we want to have it for much longer. Nonetheless, it’s vital to try to handle one of the best we are able to and to have it lively as a lot as potential. 

DS:
The identical like Seb. 

Q:
Cleansing the highway is a tricky activity on any occasion, however it’s fairly brutal right here. From what you’ve seen on the recce how robust will or not it’s and the way do you go about stemming the time loss?
OT:
Opening the highway, for positive, is like all the time it isn’t a profit to have and we have to handle. It relies on the highway and the attribute. Some locations are gradual and slender and there’s not an excessive amount of you are able to do. On the sooner sections we are able to drive and push a bit more durable and hold the pace the place the traction just isn’t a lot wanted. It’s simply right down to the physics and we now have to maximise it. 

Q:
Ott, again in México for the primary time since 2020 – how have the phases advanced since then. Is there a distinction or are they related?
 
OT:
It’s really fairly just like years in the past. Not an excessive amount of has modified. There have been some highway enhancements and the roads have turn into a bit wider and sooner and a few corners in a number of sections. Typically trying fairly related.  

Q:
How did the pre-event check go and the way did you simulate the highway at altitude?
OT:
The check was fairly okay. It’s a growth for the long run for sooner or later and we did a check for México and the maps from the engine guys to deliver down the engine energy right here. It all the time feels a bit completely different in Europe. I might say all in all we had fairly good testing. 

Q:
Is the plan for a giant push on Friday to make one of the best of your highway place?
DS:
That is the goal of everyone to try to get the occasions as quickly as potential. My highway place is sort of good and El Chocolate and Las Minas have quick elements. We should deal with one of the best security place we are able to and try to discover a while. We’ll see.

Q:
Dani, welcome again. The longer phases have all the time been the standout problem at this occasion. Would you say El Chocolate and Otates are key?
DS:
The primary day is essential for us. We have to attempt to push on the primary day of the rally and attempt to take the utmost we are able to. There are different good drivers beginning on the again, like Séb, beginning 5 or 6, and we should be sooner and be prepared for Sunday and the lengthy stage. The rally just isn’t completed till the final day. 

Q:
We kick-off tonight with two brief phases run twice. However there are nonetheless risks on such a brief stage, aren’t there?
DS:
Sure, brief phases however you may make a giant mistake there. I’m extra centered on tomorrow. It is very important see how the stage is and the way the circumstances are within the tunnels. It’s all the time slippery there. 

Q:
Séb, welcome again. With six outright wins at this occasion you’re the one with all of the information of the best way to obtain success right here and also you’ve accomplished it beforehand from first on the highway! What are the important thing substances right here?
SO:
Properly, I’ve been requested this query many occasions. Truthfully, I don’t assume that there’s something tremendous particular about successful this one. Clearly, the principle distinction is the altitude and the truth that we now have much less energy. Being first on the highway just isn’t good however it’s not as arduous as a traditional rally when you will have most energy. Truly, when you will have full grip you can’t use it. Principally, it’s not as dangerous as in Sardinia, for instance. It’s potential to win from first on the highway. It’s, in fact, a tricky problem for us and the identical preparation however the altitude simulation is rarely actually the identical. It’s lacking all the time the temperature in Europe to simulate right here. There is no such thing as a actual secret.  It all the time seems to be good however on the finish of the day it’s fairly robust and sizzling and an affect is rarely good. It is very important take care of my automotive as a lot as I can. We’ll see if I nonetheless have this magic secret to win.
 
Q:
You’re going by way of phases that you realize properly.  Now we have the El Chocolate stage after which Otates on Sunday. Some drivers have mentioned that in El Chocolate there are some unfastened rocks and possibly greater than they keep in mind earlier than. Is {that a} concern?
SO:
I agree with that. There are extra and it’s a bit rougher than it was. Being behind we might get extra grip however it will likely be tough with the rocks and we all know that. On the finish of the day, we want a little bit of luck. Additionally, Sunday can be a giant day so we’ll get to Saturday evening and we nonetheless have the longest stage of the occasion. 

FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP

Current:
WRC2 – Gus Greensmith (GBR), Škoda Fabia RS
WRC2 – M-Sport Ford World Rally Group – 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 might be competing in WRC2 this season. How a lot are you trying ahead to this new problem? 
GG:
Sure, it is extremely completely different and the principle distinction is round 200hp down this 12 months. At first of the 12 months. I’m actually trying ahead to it and the automotive is behaving properly. 

Q:
We noticed you in competitors at a rally in Portugal a pair just lately as a build-up to this. Rali Vieiro do Minho, sadly, was fairly snowy and never one of the best testing floor for this. Did you handle to check a lot?
GG:
Completely, that was one of many causes we didn’t go to Sweden. We made the choice that we didn’t wish to rush into a brand new crew and a brand new class and take time to organize totally. 4 days in whole testing and I’m feeling very assured.

Q:
How did the automotive really feel on shakedown this morning?
GG:
It nonetheless feels fairly fast. We’re down on energy however I used to be very comfy on the primary run and pushing at a superb stage already. I used to be pleased with simply the one run. 

Q:
The road-up in WRC2 this 12 months is unbelievable. It’s going to be a string combat. What’s the goal?
GG:
I feel eight drivers with the identical goal and everybody goes to say to win as many occasions as they’ll within the championship. On the finish of 12 months whoever wins shall be very deserving. It must be good. 

Q:
Adrien, congratulations on successful the Malcolm Wilson Rally on the weekend – barely completely different circumstances right here in México! What are your ideas?
AF:
For positive, we wish to get some good fights. We wish to have a superb rally. That’s actually vital for us. There may be quite a lot of kilometres at altitude so there shall be a giant hole to the vehicles within the WRC. Truly, I used to be not likely pleased with the shakedown. We did a tyre alternative to avoid wasting softs, so it was okay. 

Q:
You had been in México final 12 months for the Rally of Nations the place you completed second – a bonus having the latest expertise? Or not? 
AF:
No, not likely. I feel Gus has been right here extra occasions than me and Oliver (Solberg) additionally. I did some phases on Saturday and Sunday however tomorrow shall be fully new. 

Q:
Kajto, welcome again to México. The WRC2 title went proper right down to the wire final 12 months on the closing spherical in Japan with you as runner up. How robust a problem will or not it’s this 12 months?
KK:
It’s about my goals. Every thing is nice and we begin the brand new season in México. I’m pleased to be right here once more. It’s a good looking place, with superb phases and excessive mountains, excessive temperatures, so it’s going to be a giant problem for everybody. The crew is prepared for the combat. 

Q:
You competed right here in 2020, so you realize what it’s all about. Nevertheless, you missed out on the Sunday phases. A drawback?
KK:
I keep in mind some phases from 2020. Well-known phases like (El) Chocolate. I like this stage. It seems to be completely different. Some elements are extra tough and a few elements are secure and extra flat. There’s quite a lot of unfastened gravel on the highest, so I count on that the second move destroys the highway. It’ll be a giant problem for all of the vehicles, not just for us. I like these phases. It’s superb each stage is completely different. Now we have quite a lot of flowing ones, corners and slippery fesh-fesh, like Safari, in some locations. It’s troublesome however it’s good.  

Q:
Nice to see you in México. What are your ideas on the phases right here? 
JM:
I feel that they’re very troublesome. They’re very dry and the tyres are going to be an important subject.  There are quite a lot of stones on the facet of the highway. It’s very slippery on some elements of the roads. It’ll be very troublesome however good on the similar time. 

Q:
You’re a 10-time Chilean nationwide champion. Have you ever competed on phases demanding as those right here in México?
JM:
Not likely phases like this. In Chile, they’re extra easy roads. It’s going to be a brand new expertise for me. 

Q:
What different occasions are you going to do that 12 months other than México and Chile?
JM:
I’ll attempt to go to Portugal and Greece, that’s the plan.
 
FIA WRC3 AND MASTERS CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

Q:
Diego, it’s the primary Rally Mexico for you. What’s your goal for the weekend?
DD:
It’s fairly completely different and rather a lot harder than what I noticed beforehand on the movies. Every thing goes to be more durable for us in WRC3 working behind the opposite rally vehicles. We’re simply going to attempt to end and get good factors for the championship. 

Q:
Rally Sweden was your first occasion within the Junior WRC this 12 months, the place you had been third general. A very good begin to the 12 months?
DD:
Sure, for positive, it was my first time on snow and I used to be pleased to be near the rostrum and with the factors. We had been very pleased with the consequence.  

Q:
In your opinion, which day is the hardest for the drivers in WRC3?
DD:
Positively for the WRC3 drivers all days are going to be robust. If I needed to say one, possibly day two with the lengthy phases.

Q:
Jason, this shall be your fourth begin at Rally México, this time in a Rally3 Fiesta. Do you are feeling that the phases have advanced?
JB:
Completely, they’re higher this 12 months than I’ve ever seen earlier than. They’ve graded them, laid down gravel and there’s a lot of unfastened gravel. However, usually, they’re unquestionably one of the best circumstances I’ve seen. By the point the large boys undergo, I’m positive that won’t the case.

Q:
What’s your goal for the weekend?  
JB:
I’ve been the quickest two-wheel drive each time. Generally simply getting up a hill is a championship-winning feat. We did have one 12 months once we broke down. Our aim right here is to remain clear and end and never be fully embarrassed.

Q:
Discuss to us about your plans? You’ve been to Monte-Carlo earlier than. 
JB:
I’m going to focus on the Canadian Championship and we’re additionally planning to go to Kenya. The primary focus is the Canadian Championship however I wish to race alongside a giraffe and likewise Japan and Finland. I’m a little bit bit fearful of the loopy Finnish jumps. I’m used to the pace of the Rally4. I do know that automotive properly. Now we have fully modified our notes this 12 months. They had been means too difficult and too many notes and particulars earlier than. Maintain them clear.