Gronholm scotches rumours

The double world champion has endured a torrid season this year as his new 307 struggles with reliability. The Finn has failed to take a win since last year's Rally Argentina leading many to suggest his patience has run out with Peugeot. But Gronholm insists he has a firm contract with the team next year.

"I've heard the rumours but that's all they are - rumours," Gronholm told Autosport. "I have a contract with Peugeot for next year and it's a firm contract. I will be driving here."

In the meantime, Gronholm is concentrating on the forthcoming round of the championship where he will compete in front of his home crowd. The team carried out a test in the country earlier this month leaving the Finn confident of securing his fourth win in five years on home turf.

"We really want to do well on home soil, but all our non-Finnish rivals all dream of beating us and are therefore especially fired up," he said. "While the support you get from the spectators is really heart-warming, it doesn't give you any extra speed. The right-hand pedal is already pressed as far as it will go anyway. You could even say we run the risk of perhaps wanting to do just a little too well..."

"It would be great to score the 307 WRC's first win, for the whole team and also for me," he added. "I really feel we have been unlucky in the last few rallies."