Sardinia – Adrien Fourmaux: “I would like to get on a new podium”

What does this ordeal inspire you? This is not where you have the best statistics…

Although I regularly performed well there, it did not translate into good results. This is undoubtedly the round where I have the most participations in the world with the Monte-Carlo (it will be its 6^e this year, Editor's note), without success being there. It was never big stuff, but it always kept me from making things happen. I know how to drive fast there, but... I can't count the broken suspension arms anymore... I often say that dirt suits me better than tarmac. Sardinia belies this statement.

Do you have an explanation?

Not really. Perhaps this comes from the narrowness of the paths? I have the impression that every time I touch something there, I hit Sardinia and not just a rock… It is indeed very hard terrain. At the slightest contact, you break the car.

After all these participations, you must no longer discover much in the course?

It is true that I know most of the roads. More than three quarters of the route has already been taken by the crews who were at the start in recent years. The organizers still added 11 km at the end of Tergu (SS1/3) which are quite interesting with a profile which moves away from the first 14.

The main change will therefore come from the format. Will this shortened program change your approach?

When we know that during the Safari we all go full throttle from the first kilometers even though there are 100 km more of time to compete, it is clear that Sardinia will be no different. Above all, it will be even more important to have a good Friday. We must try not to do like in Portugal where we had to settle for 3^e rank in the order of starts on 1^er and the 2^e. We will have to be able to get into the swing of things straight away to hope to benefit from an interesting position on the road for Saturday's stage, otherwise our chances of finishing well will be reduced.

What goal have you set for yourself in Italy?

I would like it if we managed to get on another podium. At the start of the race, we will have one more car in front of us, which will be better than in Portugal. It's up to us to try to take advantage of it. Compared to what we saw during the last round, the Puma can behave well in turbulent parts. I hope this helps us get on track.

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