Atkinson: Tyres more crucial in '07

Subaru will switch to BFGoodrich tyres for this year after Pirelli's withdrawal from the WRC, and Atkinson has been busy getting used to the new rubber in preparation for Rally Monte Carlo.

"It's going to be interesting with all the teams using the same tyres," he said. "But it still comes down to making the right calls.

"If anything, it's going to be more crucial to get those calls right this year."

Atkinson added that there has been a lot to learn about the new tyres in the build-up to this season, as the Subaru team try to form a relationship with their new supplier.

"We've been testing for Monte Carlo on the tyres and the technicians seem like a good bunch of guys to work with," he said.

"We were mostly going through the range of tyres to get a better understanding of what BFGoodrich offer."

Atkinson has set himself a personal target of improving on his sixth place in last year's Monte Carlo event.