New challenge with the Focus WRCThe 2006 WRC Championship kicks off in a few weeks time in Monte Carlo and for Marcus Grönholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen, the season marks the start of a new two-year deal with the Ford Focus WRC.
"We are expecting a lot and so is the team," Grönholm stated on his personal website. "First tests in December in Sweden and France showed us that these expectations are well reasoned. All new Focus is not only fast but incredibly reliable after such a short development."
After seven years with the Peugeot squad Grönholm is looking forward to his new challenge with Ford. "A change always gives you an extra injection of energy and this is our first move after working seven years for Peugeot," Grönholm explained. "It was a bit sad to leave the team where we have had everything in our career. We have a load of nostalgic memories from the past years. Now we face the pleasant challenge of learning the way our new team is working and to get to know all the people involved."
With 16 rounds on the calendar for the forthcoming season, Grönholm admits that the schedule makes his life `quite busy` but is also looking forward to the July break when he can spend some time with his family.
As for the challenge with Ford, Grönholm is looking forward to giving the blue-oval some rallying success. "It makes me feel confident when I know that it is not only me who is hungry for wins but the whole team has committed themselves to achieve success. Ford has won the Championship 1979 and Vatanen with a Ford 1981. Its about time..."
Tags:
marcus-gronholm,
ford,
focus,
monte-carlo,
