Preview: Wide open on twisty Sanremo

The Finn shares the lead at the top of the championship tables with Britain's Colin McRae going into Sanremo, and he is confident the car will perform well.

"Straight away when I drove the car I had a good feeling," said Makinen after a recent testing session. "The balance is very good and everything is positive. We need a good result now and I think we have a good chance with this car."

Michelin tyres have proved to be the best rubber to have on asphalt this year. Colin McRae, whose Ford Focus WRC runs on Pirellis, has made no secret of the fact he has been disappointed by the Italian tyres' asphalt performance in recent testing. He has said he will be happy to pick up whatever points he can.

But Richard Burns, whose win in New Zealand moves him up to third in the series standings, has reported no problems with Pirelli and is upbeat about his chances. "I'm going to the event with a lot of confidence," he said. "With just nine points keeping me from the (championship) lead, and four rallies to go, the championship is once again game-on. I'll be giving everything I can."

All seven manufacturers have entered the Italian event, most with three cars. Judging by their speed at the last asphalt event in Catalunya, Citroen and the Xsara WRC's of Jesus Puras, Philippe Bulgaski and Sebastian Loeb will be the ones to watch. Peugeot also look set for a good result. Gilles Panizzi won last year's asphalt events in Sanremo and Corsica.