Meeke: Gould has to push in Scotland

Meeke urged the 22-year-old Briton not to waste what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and he says he will be willing to help advise Gould when the two get together for the first time at the pre-event test in Scotland on Monday.

"It's going to be a very steep learning curve for Adam," said Meeke. "But levelling that learning curve is the name of the game. It's a difficult situation for a young driver to come into a drive like this this. There's great pressure on him to make it to the finish of the rally and get around, but at the same time there's no sense in just piddling around.

"He needs to have the balls to get out there and set the times, he needs to show his pace - that's vital. If he sets the world alight for two or three stages and then throws it off then some people might slate him, but, from my point of view, he simply can't afford to piffle around. This is one of the biggest opportunities he'll ever get."

Meeke admitted he didn't know what to expect from his fellow 207 S2000 driver on the Stirling-based event. He said: "I don't know what to expect from Adam, I've never met him and I don't know him. I've followed British Rally Championship a little bit this year, but that's been about Mark Higgins and Keith Cronin. I don't know what kind of stage times we should be seeing from him."

Gould is expected to complete around 70 miles when he tests the Peugeot for the first time on Monday and Meeke reckons that initial time in the 207 could make or break the event for the Bristolian.

"It's very, very important that he feels comfortable in the car at the test," said Meeke. "If that happens, then everything will become easier. These cars are quite tough to adapt to, but being adaptable is what being a rally driver is all about. If he can adapt, it won't be a problem.

"I'm more than happy to help him. I remember when I was in his position, I would be asking advice from absolutely everybody, every time I got the opportunity and I'm sure Adam will be the same. But, at the end of the day, there's only so much advice I or anybody else can give to him - it's Adam that's got to get in the car and press the pedals and turn the wheel for himself."