Solberg targets Monte podium

The Norwegian, who says he is in better shape than ever ahead of this year's World Rally Championship, is aiming to regain the world title he lost last season and has the full weight of the Subaru World Rally Team behind him.

Team principal David Lapworth has confirmed that Solberg's success in the drivers' championship is the Banbury-based outfit's number one priority for 2005.

"What's very important for me is that we get a good start here in Monte Carlo," said Solberg, who finished runner up in the 2004 championship. "That's what I have been missing in the last few years. I think I can finish on the podium here, but obviously I start every event wanting to win.

"Monte is a very difficult rally. We had snow during the recce, we don't know how much of that will stay - so tyre choice, as always here, is going to be difficult."

"Me and the whole team have done more preparation work than ever for this year," he added. "That's what we're going to need. Last year we saw that all the time there was a big fight for tenths of seconds - I think this season is going to be even tougher."