Waching daily Apr 1 2018

The format of the Tour de Corse is very specific

There are very few stages per day,

but they can be quite long.

Up to 50km, or even almost 60km.

It's a big challenge for the crews and cars.

The Tour de Corse is an asphalt rally with many, many corners.

The stages are extremely varied, though. The roads can be narrow, wide, bumpy or smooth.

When it rains in Corsica,

a lot of dirt gets washed onto the stages. That makes the conditions difficult

and can cause a few surprises.

It's very important to have good pace notes

to give you the confidence you need to push hard.

Looking after your tyres on the Tour de Corse can be decisive.

You need to make the right choice which is relatively straightforward in good weather.

But you also need to look after your tyres over the full length of every loop.

The advice we get from Michelin's technicians is so important.

The work you do ahead of the event pays dividends on the rally itself.

Since the new-generation cars arrived,

I find them much more fun personally.

CThey are far more exciting for the drivers and crews, as well as for the spectators.

They are faster and that makes the show more spectacular.

The Tour de Corse has been good to me,

with two wins. The first in 2011 when it was an IRC event. And then last year as a WRC round.

You need to be 100 percent from the start of the first stage to the end of the last one.

That's the key to being competitive and to taking the win at the finish.