Hanninen aims for S-WRC title

If Juho Hanninen is hired at Rally Monte Carlo (and perhaps the Barum Czech Rally), the Skoda driver's program will focus on the 2011 season of the S-WRC. After winning the IRC title, the Finn will play alongside Hermann Gassner Jr within the team Red Bull Skoda.

Even if this program is a good development in Juho Hanninen's career, he will nevertheless miss competing in the IRC. “I'm going to miss her, there were always big fights,” he admits to Autosport. “I will also miss my teammate Jan Kopecky, we did a lot of rallies together. I will also think back to certain rallies like Sanremo. »

Juho Hanninen hopes to feel just as good in the WRC, even with the high level displayed in both disciplines. “Everyone is very relaxed in IRC,” adds the Skoda driver. “I am certain, well I hope, that it will be the same in the WRC. But the fights are the same in IRC, with drivers of the caliber of Freddy (Loix) or Jan (Kopecky). »

But the 2010 IRC Champion must turn the page and now concentrate on his S-WRC program. “For the moment, we are engaged in seven rallies. Obviously I want to contest as many as possible, but I'm happy with what we have and I can't wait to get back to the start in the WRC. We normally have to start the season at Rally Mexico so we would have to miss the first event at Rally Sweden. »

Finally, regarding his objectives for the 2011 season, the Finn does not fear competition and displays an ambitious temperament, which has succeeded in his previous seasons. “Obviously, I'm aiming for the S-WRC title and nothing else,” he insisted.