Q&A with Alexey Lukyanuk

This is what the Russian Performance Motorsport Fiesta R5 driver had to say at the pre-event press conference.

What do you think of the stages here in Greece, and how extra difficult will they be if it rains during the event?“No one knows what is going to happen, because in places it is so slippery that it is like ice. On standard rocks it should be okay. I pray for dry conditions.”

You were very unlucky with technical problems in Cyprus, particularly the power steering. How has pre-event testing done in Greece and have you the tools to challenge for victory?“I’m not thinking about victory. I am just trying to focus on a good and solid result and with a reasonable speed, because I have no experience here. These kind of roads are again new for me. We are still developing the pace notes, we are still developing the car set-up and we did quite a good job on the test. On the previous rally, yes we had a lot of problems, but it made us stronger. We know how to fix many things now and what to do and what not to do, so things are quite nice. We can attack and push through it, but it’s also possible to do something wrong and lose a lot. Even a puncture, it is easy to get here. I want to be smart and avoid big mistakes.”

Are you pleased with the start you have made – fastest in Free Practice 2 and second fastest in Qualifying?“It was a very nice and exciting stage. It was short but so twisty and technical and a lot of fun to drive through the trees and be always sideways in the sand and the ruts. We were not the fastest, but we are learning and I hope that we will find some speed through this rally and increase our pace and confidence.”