Egon Kaur says he fully expects his FIA WRC Academy rivals to mount a stronger challenge when the young driver training series resumes on Rally d'Italia Sardegna today.
The Estonian claimed victory on the inaugural event in Portugal in late March ahead of Swede Victor Henriksson and German Christian Riedemann.
“Winning in Portugal was a boost of confidence because I know I am able to win and I have the speed necessary for the win,” said Kaur. “But for sure the other drivers have not been sleeping since Portugal and will do improvements here in Sardinia.
“They have analysed their mistakes since Portugal and definitely their speed will be better and their approach will be better. I know if I want the same result that I had in Portugal I will have to be faster.”
Kaur will start the event with a new co-driver after Mait Laidvee was unable to commit to the gravel rally. Erik Lepikson will replace him.
“We won the Estonian title last year in a Group N car,” Kaur continued. “Although we’ve not been driving together for half a year we did some practice two weeks ago and it was going quite well. The stages here in Sardinia are quite rough so we have to be careful and fast as well. It will be difficult to choose the right strategy.”
Kaur is one of 18 drivers chasing the WRC Academy’s 500,000 Euros scholarship this year in identical Ford Fiesta R2s, which are prepared by the M-Sport organisation and use Pirelli control tyres.
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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