Monte-Carlo pre-event press conference

Bryan Bouffier, Alex Caffi, Juho Hänninen and Petter Solberg attended the pre-event press conference for the centenary edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo, round one of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, earlier today. A full transcript follows.

Question to Petter Solberg:

Petter, turning to you first, we are more used to seeing you in the World Rally Championship so it’s great to see you here in the IRC for the first time. What are your impressions so far of the IRC and your rival drivers?

PS: “Well, it’s different of course, but it’s rallying and it’s big action and big attack. These guys beside me have a lot of experience, they’re the champions. It will be a big fight and not an easy rally. The atmosphere is good, the people are happy, now we have to work very hard to get to the finish ramp.”

Question to Juho Hänninen:

Welcome back Juho, you start 2011 as the defending IRC champion and you finished second on this rally last year. Can you go one better on this rally this time around?

JH: “I hope I can go one better than last year, it’s not easy. At this moment it seems to be a tarmac rally, it’s more difficult for me – we know some drivers are more faster [on this surface]. It’s going to be very hard to be on the podium, but I will try and do it.”

Question to Bryan Bouffier:

Turning to you Bryan, last year we had lots of snow and ice on the stages but on the recce the conditions were completely different. Can you explain what they were like and what difference they will make to your approach and to the rally in general?

BB: “Good afternoon everybody. Yes, last year we had much more snow. For me it’s much more difficult when the snow is there, for me it’s more difficult because I don’t have so much experience [on snow]. We have a good car and we will be helped by our team to find the right tyre. Michelin is back and we have a great French team, but okay Petter [Solberg, Norwegian] is with us.”

Question to Alex Caffi:

Now Alex, we are more used to seeing you driving racing cars rather than rally cars so why are you competing on this event?

AC: “I missed the way! I am very happy to be in this rally. I try to make the most of it, but it can be a difficult rally. There are many F1 drivers try to make the rally, with [Kimi] Raikkonen and Robert Kubica. I try because I’m a big fan of the rally. I try late because I am not at the right age to be competitive, but to have fun and arrive at my home in Monte Carlo safe.”

Question to Petter Solberg:

You’re considered a favourite to win this rally. Do you agree with that or do you feel you don’t have enough experience of your Peugeot 207 Super 2000 to challenge for victory?

PS: “Well, I’m not here to try to bullshit anything, but I will fight. It doesn’t matter whether I’m in a front, two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive car, it doesn’t matter - I like driving. I jumped in the Peugeot and it worked very well. I can attack properly and I like to attack. I think it’s going to be great fun and, hey, I’m a proper driver here: I signed a contract for this rally.”

How was the test?

PS: “I had four days and the first three days were full rain, mud and fog like Wales. Then on the last day, I had a full day on ice and a little bit on snow, which all worked well. We did a small shakedown yesterday and the car was perfect, with a good feeling on the tyres. The tyre choice will be very important – we have to work as a proper team and share all the experience we can on the tyres.”

Question to Juho Hänninen:

Rallye Monte-Carlo is celebrating its 100th anniversary this season. What did this event mean to you when you were growing up and what is your first memory of the rally?

JH: “Okay, I remember something from the Eighties. But maybe the best memory for the Finnish driver is the record [Tommi] Makinen made, many wins in the row and the way he controlled the rally… The way he could read the road and the grip, some of the times in the stages, it was very impressive and nice to follow.”

Question to Bryan Bouffier:

We saw some very impressive performances by you last season and it’s great you are here for the first round of the IRC. But what are the chances of you doing more IRC events in 2011?

BB: “I hope so. Yes. Last year we did interesting times in the IRC events, but we couldn’t reach the final result. Up until now we will try and do a good result on the Monte Carlo, but I will push to do the rest of the season.”

Question to Alex Caffi:

From your limited rally career so far and the testing you have done in your Skoda Fabia, what would you say are the biggest differences between racing and how hard is it to swap between the two?

AC: “You have the time [to talk about the differences]? It’s so different. I have no time to make a big test and I don’t have the time to find the snow. I hope it’s not snowing too much in the next days! Compared to F1, this is another kind of sport, but it’s difficult and exciting. I love very much and I am very proud to be in this race.”

Question to Petter Solberg:

Your brother Henning is also competing here, not only that but he’s also driving for your team. What’s he like as a customer and how much help and advice do you give each other when you are competing?

PS: “Well, if you think about earning money from my brother forget it. I have the people and the truck and I want to help my brother, Henning loves driving like I do. The guys will look after him, we have full control over him and his tyre choice, so it should be okay…”

Question to Juho Hänninen:

You finished second on this event last year. What will it take you to go one better this year and can you do it?

JH: “I cannot tell so much. Right now, only this Monte Carlo, then some more WRC rallies. But I really hope some few rounds on the IRC – but it depends on some other people.”

Question to Bryan Bouffier:

How much experience do you have of this rally, how did your pre-event testing go and how much confidence does winning the French championship last year give you?

BB: “It’s nice to have the French title, but it doesn’t give me confidence for this rally. The Monte Carlo is not that kind of race. The stages are very nice, but it’s very easy to make a mistake. I am confident in the car and the team and I know what I can do myself, but I cannot say I have full confidence for this event, I don’t think that’s possible for the Monte.”

Question to Alex Caffi:

Are you planning to do any more rallies this year and what events would you like to contest?

AC: “I don’t know. I like to make some historic rally. In Italy I like to drive a very old Porsche 911, it’s very nice but very difficult to drive. My dream would be to make a race in the WRC, but I don’t know.”

I believe you have a family connection to this event?

AC: “In 1969 my uncle came from his home town in Brescia to drive in a BMW 1600 [on this event], also with my father, so it’s a little bit like I arrive for him. I hope everything is going well on this rally.”

Questions from the floor:

Martin Holmes, journalist, UK:

Petter, will coming and doing this event be a big help for you on the World Rally Championship events?

PS: “Definitely. To get the experience with the S2000 car with the gearing and things like that is all going to help. We are using the smaller car here and you have attack differently. Of course, it’s going to be very good, there’s a completely different type of feeling with the tyres. This will be a great rally and I’m really looking forward to driving and having some fun.

“I just want to say the IRC and the television coverage [on Eurosport] is unbelievable and I’m very impressed how you do it. Last year, during my test for the Swedish Rally, I came back home to my farm and we had all of the team together and watched this live coverage from this event. It’s going to be a big treat with all the live coverage – it’s all good!"