Gronholm keen to see Tarmac form

The German event is the first of four Tarmac rallies that are remaining on this year's calendar, and it will be crucial for Gronholm's title rival Sebastien Loeb to make up ground on the Finn in these events.

Ford's new 2007-specification Focus dominated Rally Finland last weekend, but Gronholm believes that the next event will prove just how much progress the team have made with the new car.

"We proved in Finland the new Focus has moved forward and this rally will give everyone an idea of how the second half of the season could develop," said Gronholm, who holds a 13-point lead in the championship.

Gronholm also admitted that his main aim is to stay close to Loeb throughout the event to put pressure on the world champion, who has won in Germany for the past five years.

"This will be one of the most difficult events of the season," he added. "Beating Loeb on asphalt is a big task but I hope we can be really close to him and if that's the case, who knows what will happen?"

Gronholm's teammate Mikko Hirvonen believes that the new car will be a major improvement on its predecessor on Tarmac, but he also admitted that he is not expecting to challenge for overall victory in Germany.

"I think we've made a bigger improvement on asphalt than on gravel with the new car," he said. "But I'm not going there thinking I can win.

"My aim is to push Dani Sordo as hard as I can and I can take third, that would be like a win for me."