Campana: “I’m making progress with the Mini”

It must be a consecration for you to start with Mini in Monte-Carlo?

Absolutely, it’s a real honor to be one of the two official Prodrive drivers entered, especially in Monte-Carlo, an event that I particularly like. I would like to thank Drive-Pro, the FFSA and my management for the work done so that I reached the top of the rally. I intend to live up to the trust placed in me.

Exactly, what are your objectives for this event?

As in Alsace, I would like to finish the rally in the points (9th at the 2011 Rallye de France-Alsace with the Drive-Pro Mini JCW). I am confident in this rally, I have already competed in it twice in two-wheel drive with a victory in 2011 on a Renault Clio R3. My teammate Dani Sordo will be the absolute reference for me and I know he is very strong on this type of surface. But we have very good relations and we maintain very good exchanges.

How are you preparing to compete for this first start?

I do a lot of physical training but the preparation is also mental. Despite the stakes, I try to put the pressure aside by focusing on my next race. In the coming weeks I will be carrying out tests with Prodrive where I will discover new types of tires used in WRC with whom I think I can adapt well. I feel ready to face all kinds of weather conditions but I hope not to have to make a strategic choice in terms of tires to fit if the weather is too variable.

What is your state of mind at the moment?

I feel confident aboard the Mini JCW WRC. I am progressing with the car as the tests progress. After Alsace, I won in the Cévennes and the Rallye du Var was a particularly interesting experience (4th, a few seconds behind the Fiesta RS WRC ofOtt Tänak). I was able to compete against Jari-Matti Latvala (winner of the event in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC) and set his pace on several occasions. I also noticed that the Mini JCW WRC was very reliable as I had no major mechanical problems this year.

What are your goals after Monte Carlo?

I would like to compete in other WRC events. Along with the France-Alsace Rally and Germany, the Italy Rally would be a very interesting event for me, as the route will be new for all the drivers. Although I have done a lot of rallies on asphalt recently, gravel is a surface that I also like. I am also aiming for four participations in the French Championship but my final calendar will be established according to Prodrive's decisions.