Brundle rates British Rally experience

The former Benetton and McLaren Formula One driver is competing in his second Rally GB, having entered in 1996.

Brundle will team up with Swedish co-driver Arne Hertz as the duo prepare to tackle one of the world's most gruelling terrains in their Toyota Corolla.

The ex-Le Mans victor told The Express: 'Three things stand out in my career.'

'A good lap of Le Mans at night, qualifying with a turbo-boosted 1200bhp car at Monaco and a Welsh stage mile in 1996.

'The common denominator was having a thoroughbred car for the job. And this year I have an even better car.'

Brundle has raced in everything from karts to F1, and even NASCAR saloons, but admits he is a touch more cautious in rallying because of his lack of experience.

'I don't expect to be causing Colin McRae, Richard Burns, Tommi Makinen or any other top boys a sleepless night,' he said.

'But I do want to put in a decent run in a great car and I don't want to be hanging about.

'I am competitive, it is in my nature when I get behind the wheel, but my ambition here is straightforward - to enjoy myself without any pressure.

'I think that in 1996 when I did the British rally I was still seen as an F1 driver and there was a pressure to prove how fast I was but not now, even though I have a much quicker car.'

Brundle will team up with Toyota's World Rally Championship stars, Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz.

It will be Toyota's final outing as a works' rally team, as it prepares for its Formula One assault.