Spain a 'big event' for Solberg

The Northern Irishman and his Norwegian driver are chasing their first victory together in Spain this week and Patterson says the Salou-based event offers the perfect opportunity.

"We prepare for every event to the absolute maximum," said Patterson. "But there's a little bit more this time. We have a new engine, new dampers, everything is 110 per cent. We want to win; we always want to win, but there's an even bigger push on this one.

"We start from a good position on the road on Friday and we want to make the absolute most of it. There's a wee bit extra for this event."

Patterson added that tomorrow's mixed surface stages are far from easy.

"It would be so easy to lose speed on the gravel stages," he said. "The corners are: 'flat, flat, flat, bad bend' and if you lift in any of the quick corners, you're going to lose the momentum and the speed.

"It's critical for the driver to commit to the notes and drive to what he's hearing. There's no natural flow in the gravel roads here, so the notes are vital.

"We want to win this event, make no mistake - but at the same time, you have to remember for all of our hard work and preparation, we are not a factory team. We're still privateers."