Galli to compete in eight events

The Italian will drive for the Aimont Racing Team, and his first appearance of the season will come at Rally Sweden next month.

"I am very satisfied to have closed this deal," said Galli. "I consider this team one of the best in Italian rallying.

"We can not hide the fact that we are quite proud of having realised this project that only a few weeks ago seemed almost impossible."

While the Xsara will be a new car to Galli, he is optimistic for his first rally of the year in Sweden.

"The Xsara is a completely new car," he said. "We know there will be difficulties, but we will do everything we can in order to play a leading role in the WRC.

"The rally in Sweden is one that we know quite well. We know how to deal with WRC cars on snow surfaces, now we have to capitalise on our past experiences."

Throughout the year Galli will also compete in WRC events in Norway, Portugal, Argentina, Sardinia, Greece, Finland, and New Zealand.

For the first two rounds he will use Pirelli tyres, although at the moment there is no deal in place for the rest of the year.