Citroen issues Monte warning

"The biggest unknown remains the event itself," said Fréquelin. "It's difficult because it's so fickle. I know that only too well and I could never feel totally serene prior to the start.

"It's a rally on which it is possible to switch from Catalunya to Swedish grip levels in an instant. Our results in Monaco in the last two years are positive, but we don't want to be brash."

Citroen and Loeb won this rally last year, and were the fastest in 2002 before Loeb was excluded for a minor infringement. Although asphalt form is still close to call, Loeb is inevitably the one carrying the 'most likely winner' tag.

He said: "I don't think I have any choice in the matter! It's a rather pleasant feeling. As far as the pressure that goes with being favourite is concerned, that's something I have already experienced on last year's Monte and in Germany.

"It's a phenomenon that fades away as soon as you put your helmet on. That said, I am very aware that you can be caught out in a fraction of a second on an event like the Monte."