Skoda plays down title talk

Skoda Motorsport says it is too early to start thinking about winning the Intercontinental Rally Challenge Manufacturers´ title, despite two of its works drivers finishing on the podium of the Monte Carlo Rally.

The Czech company leads the standings by four points following the legendary event, which finished in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A spokesperson for the firm said: "This is the first rally of the season and there is a long way to go. Our plan for the year is to contest approximately eight rallies and be in a position to fight for the podium as often as possible. We hope that will be the case but there is still a long way to go in the season."

Juho Hanninen finished runner-up on the Monte Carlo Rally in a Skoda Fabia S2000. Nicolas Vouilloz took third in an identical car.