Wilson: Gronholm fired up by switch

The double World Champion has switched to the blue oval after seven years with French manufacturer Peugeot, who withdrew at the end of last season.

Ford Team RS boss Wilson, speaking at the Autosport Show, described how enthusiastic Gronholm is to win rallies for the team following his early testing sessions.

"Marcus is certainly one of the fastest drivers in the World Championship at the moment," Gronholm said.

"Last year we put all the investment into designing the new car, but we were speaking with Marcus since very early on last year. He is so motivated and desperate to get behind the wheel. Certainly judging by the move at the team we feel very confident we are going to get some victory.

"I think it will go down as one of the negotiation periods of signing a driver as long as I've been in the job. He's been at Peugeot for seven years. It was important to secure his services. It took a long time but I'm delighted now I've got him board. To see the desire he has to win even though he has so many rally victories."

Gronholm partners countryman Mikko Hirvonen at the team, and Wilson believes they will return to the winners rostrum this season.

"With two fantastic new drivers I'm very confident winning rallies," Wilson added. "Whether we are in a position to go for the championship I don't know - that is a tall order."

"Last year was the first year we haven't won an event with the Focus since 1999. But the emphasis was about designing and developing the 2006 car. The drivers are so enthusiastic and 15 days of testing with the new car. It is very encouraging and I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead."