Duval targets podium in Corsica

The Belgian driver, who gave Marcus Gronholm difficulties with his pace in Germany earlier this year, could not compete with either of the works Ford drivers in Spain, on his way to a distant fifth place finish.

However, Duval believes that the roads in Corsica will have little in common with the Spanish stages.

"In Spain, nothing more was possible, " said Duval, who is targeting a podium finish this weekend. "But in Corsica the pack will be reshuffled.

"We are very confident. The characteristics of this rally are completely different and these characteristics are to our advantage."

Duval, driving a Kronos-run Citroen Xsara, could aid Sebastien Loeb 's world title aspirations, and Loeb has admitted that he is hoping to see more drivers getting ahead of Gronholm.

"We took points off Marcus but we are still behind in the championship, " said Loeb, who is now six points behind Gronholm.

"Our aim in Corsica will once again be to finish ahead of him and hope that Dani Sordo, and perhaps other drivers, succeed in splitting us in the final results."