Três perguntas para Benoit Nogier

Three questions to... Benoit Nogier - Citroen Junior Team Manager

The Citroen Junior Team is starting its second season in the World Rally Championship. How do you prepare for this new challenge?

"Just starting this new season is already great news for us. Our plan is to pick up on where we left off with our achievements last year. We've certainly not lost sight of the reasons why the Citroen Junior Team was created in the first place: our drivers are with us to learn, discover what the WRC is all about and make progress. Our job is to give them the equipment that allows them to acquire the maximum possible experience at the top level of the sport and show off their talent to the best of their abilities."

In 2010, Sebastien Ogier will start his second season at the wheel of the Citroen C4 WRC while Kimi Raikkonen is a new arrival at the Citroen Junior Team. That's quite some line-up...

"Yes, that was my first reaction as well! After a debut season with us in which he put in performances that were more than just promising, Sebastien Ogier will be able to continue his career path. He has learned quite a lot already, so now he is in a position to show a bit more of his potential. It's an honour for us to welcome Kimi Raikkonen, and for a driver of his standing to choose Citroen and the Citroen Junior Team is obviously a source of huge satisfaction."

What are your objectives for this season?

"We've got different goals with Sebastien and Kimi. We're hoping that Sebastien starts the 2010 season in the same way that he finished 2009, with the same commitment, hard work and speed. In due course he should be in a position to finish on the podium. The final few steps are always the most difficult ones to take though and this is a fact that both he and ourselves are well aware of. Nevertheless, this is the target we need to bear in mind for him throughout the season. As for Kimi, he's obviously just starting. So his goal is simply to make progress on each rally. Kimi is taking his first steps in the sport and there is a steep learning curve for him to climb. But his natural talent behind the wheel clearly needs no introduction!"

Agradecimento: Icecream_Woman (Official Kimi Raikkonen Forum)

Gosto muito destes elogios, gosto mesmo! Quem não gosta não é mesmo? Mas ao mesmo tempo fico receosa, já que a mão que acaricia é a mesma que bate depois!!!

Mas vai dar tudo certo e Kimi vai corresponder às expectativas que estão colocando nele. Tenho certeza! Seu chefe de equipe terá muito mais motivos para lhe elogiar até o final do ano. hahahaha....

Beijinhos, Ice-Ludy