Skoda Boss Upbeat despite Penalty

Tuohino's 60-second deficit comes courtesy of an engine change between the Cyprus Rally and this week's Lamia-based event.

The two events are paired and failure to use the same motor comes with the implementation of the penalty.

Despite that, Sureda is confident of the Finn's ability.

"He can be in the top six," said Sureda. "You know, we need some confidence in Skoda. We need to believe in the team. Everybody has to be confident, we have to prove what we can do.
 
"Some times it might look like we are sad, but really the team is ok. We all have to be proud of ourselves, but at the same time we have to work, work, work on the car."

Tuohino is joined by team leader Armin Schwarz and fellow Finn Jani Paasonen as the Czech Republic team runs three Fabia WRCs for the first time since the Swedish Rally in February.

Schwarz set the fastest time of the trio at shakedown. His time of 2m32.2s was 1.9s slower than Subaru driver Petter Solberg's benchmark.