Auriol faces tough time in Australia

The Frenchman goes to the event, which begins on Thursday, six points [52-58] behind championship leader and rival Tommi Makinen.

'I expect to have to fight all of the race to win the race,' said the Toyota driver, 'and therefore it will be a little more difficult.'

However, Auriol thinks he will benefit from a new reverse seeding system, which will allow the fastest drivers on the first day to choose where they start the next stage.

Front runners, such as Makinen and Auriol, should benefit from this.

The stages in Australia are traditionally made up of small pebbles and it is the front runners who tend to clear them for the rest of the drivers - which tends to make the stages faster for drivers starting down the order.

'Reverse seeding is a real bonus,' claimed Auriol. 'Because road position is vital in this event. After this, I know where I think will be the best position for each day, and hope we are in a position to make the best choice.'