Makinen sees McRae as chief rival

The Finn needs to win the event if he is to re-establish his early season advantage in the World Rally Championship.

Makinen, who has won the past three rallies in Argentina, has led the Championship all season, but the lead he enjoyed after the Monte Carlo and Swedish rallies has been cut drastically, and he now leads Didier Auriol by just one point.

Although Ford's Colin McRae has never won in Argentina, Makinen still thinks he will be the main threat. The new Focus, which has already won twice this year, should be well suited to the conditions.

Makinen is still confident though. He said, 'I don't know why Argentina is so good for us, but it always seems to be excellent.

'It is somewhere between the Rally of Portugal and Acropolis, with some fast sections and some places where it is slower and rocky.

I am looking forward to it very much, but the opposition will be tough. I think probably Colin McRae is my biggest rival.'

Leading drivers for Argentine Rally