Richards sees the new Subaru as a champion!

After describing the new Impreza as Subaru’s last chance to shine in the WRC last week, David Richards today declares that it will be capable of great things from the moment it arrives!

The head of Prodrive took over as co-driver for the Subaru World Rally Team since last year. The team, struggling and without success since 2005, is determined with the new Subaru Impreza to turn things around and win rallies from 2008 onwards.

It will be available mid-season and according to Richards, it will already be 100% operational: « The car will win on any surface this year and I think both our drivers will be capable of doing it. »

« Since its development, we have not had any problems with it. It performs well and with the time we have left until mid-season, I really don’t see how it couldn’t be amazing! »

The new Impreza will be tested on Gravier as early as next week. However, it will have undergone only a few tests before its introduction into the world championship. According to the British director, this is no reason to worry.

« Look at what Ford did. When their new car came out, they had only done two days of testing. We started this car over a year ago, and we still have time available. »

The number one driver of the team and world champion in 2003, Peter Solberg, has already shown impatience to drive the new blue car: « I haven’t tested it yet, because the team wants to be 100% ready beforehand. However, I am very eager to get a test. »

For now, no official date has been set for the launch of the new Japanese model, but June seems the most likely.