Peugeot aims high in Sweden

Should Gronholm triumph for Peugeot this weekend, it would give the French manufacturer a remarkable fifth consecutive victory on the Swedish event. Gronholm scored the first-ever victory for the 206 in Sweden in 2000, and also won the event in 2002 and 2003. Countryman Harri Rovanpera triumphed in 2001, also driving a works 206.

"I have a good feeling in Sweden, even if the stages are rather quick in places," said Gronholm. "Our result in Monte Carlo was quite encouraging. It allowed us to see that the 307 WRC is both competitive and reliable. Judging by the way our pre-event testing went, I am very optimistic for Sweden."

Peugeot team boss Corrado Provera was also pleased with the 307s Monte debut, although insisted that the team would be taking nothing for granted on the Scandinavian event.

"The whole team did a fantastic job in complying with the timeframe and ensuring we has a competitive car in Monte Carlo," said Provera. "To get both 307 WRCs to the finish and the fact that we came away with more points from this event than ever before is a fantastic and fitting reward for everyone at Peugeot Sport.

"Our pre-Swedish testing was very positive and Marcus now knows that the car is competitive and apparently reliable. But we mustn't take anything for granted and we go to Sweden in all due humility."