Remote servicing put to the test

The introduction of the remote zones - designed to allow the rally to venture further from its base - mean reliability at this weekend's rough and rocky rally will be more important than ever with just 10 minutes maintenance permitted on each car and with only two team personnel plus the driver and co-driver allowed to work on them.

Only spare parts carried in the rally car can be fitted in these zones, which operate away from the fixed service park. There is only one such zone on the rally, on Saturday morning, but it will require drivers to tackle more than 87km of competition between traditional service opportunities.

The FIA is keen to introduce remote servicing in 2005 as part of its bid to reduce costs, but teams have been critical of the move. Not only will the new system be put to the test on Saturday, but both Martin and Sainz have admitted that the introduction of the zones could have a significant influence on the end result.

"We'll have to be more careful on this section not to take so many risks because damage to the car may not always be repairable just by ourselves and two mechanics, especially without the necessary spare parts," Martin said. "The less service we have, the more careful we must be."

Sainz on the other hand believes it will be the teams' responsibility to make the cars more reliable rather drivers being more careful. "I don't think it will modify the way that we drive," he said. "Everyone will attack as usual, and rely on the strength of the cars. It's their robustness and reliability that will make the difference."