In an EXCLUSIVE interview, Mads Ostberg answers HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS’ questions...

Ostberg needs no introduction: he is currently competing in the World Rally Championship in his Subaru Impreza WRC2008 for the Adapta World Rally Team. With WRC Rally Spain this weekend, Ostberg is looking to make the most of the potential he has shown thus far in 2009. INTERVIEW BY EVAN ROTHMAN. IMAGES SUPPLIED.

Edition 96: http://www.rallybuzz.com/handbrakes-and-hairpins/H&H-96.pdf

H&H: Driving in the world’s most prestigious rallies and competing with the world’s best rally drivers and co-driver must be your dream come true. What are your thoughts and feelings whenever you climb into your rally car?
Mads Ostberg: Rally has always been my dream, and to be able to work in rallying is fabulous. I always look forward to climb into the car. I enjoy the feeling of using a machine that is specially made for driving quick on a road - that is closed - so you can go as fast as you can.

H&H: What are your memorable rallying moments so far this year?
Mads: I have many good memories, but Greece was special. That was a good rally for us, even with the problems we had. And also Sardinia with my girlfriend Veronica, was a
great memory.

H&H: How do you see your season pan out? 

Mads: So far we have had to many problems, but when everything is working as it should the speed is ok and I am happy with that.

H&H: Do you interact with the drivers often? Do you have any friends in rallying, or is it as competitive as Formula One?
Mads: The drivers and co-drivers in WRC are very nice people, and everyone is friends with some better then others. I have good connection with Petter and Henning Solberg, Jari-Matti, Matthew Wilson, Conrad Rautenbach, Evgeniy Novikov and some of the others. And some I only talk to a little bit.

H&H: Who do you respect in rallying and in the WRC?
Mads: I really respect a lot of people, but I think what the top guys, Loeb and Hirvonen, can do is doing is amazing. The speed they fi nd, and the way they keep the competition going on throughout the weekend, is impressive. And Jari-Matti is also a man to respect; his speed is amazing!

H&H: The pressures and expectations on you must be enormous…
Mads: Yes, they are sometimes. But that is a part of competing. As you progress, the expectations grow and both myself and people around me expect more. That’s a part of life, and I am happy to have that pressure.

H&H: There is great talent rising up through the ranks in world rallying. Who do you think will be the next star rallying fans and competitors should look out for?
Mads: There are so many on the way up this days; it is diffi cult to say who will make it to the top…

H&H: What makes a rally driver a rally driver? What characteristics do rally drivers possess that other motor sport competitors don’t?
Mads: Rally is very special. In many types of motorsport you go around a course; in rally everything is spread out, and that makes it impossible to remember the track. Therefore, you have to use the information you get from the co-driver, to be able to go as quick as you can through a narrow gravel road in speeds up to 200km/h.

H&H: It must be a busy offi ce to sit in, the driver’s seat of your rally car. Can you tell us about your rally car?

Mads: The car is a Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 S14. Car is built by Prodrive in Bambury. As an offi ce it is a bit small, but nice actually. The guys working for me says its easy to clean inside, and they keep it nice for me. So there is no way I can complain about the office.

H&H: You have a great driving style. What tips can you offer young rallying drivers in terms of setting quick and consistent stage times?
Mads: Thanks! Driving style is always individual, and I think all new drivers have to follow what feels natural for them. I know my driving can be a bit too aggressive, but I will still continue driving like that, because that’s what feels natural to me..

H&H: What was your main motivation in entering rallying? What are your career aspirations?
Mads: My father was a rally driver and I think that’s why I got the interest in rallying. And when you have the interest, the motivation comes naturally. And my goal is always to win. My first goal was to start winning rallies here in Norway, and I have done that for some years now, so the next goal is to fi ght for top positions in WRC events.

H&H: What are your predictions for the 2009 season?
Mads: Our goal for this season was to take points in every of the eight rounds we are competing in. That failed already in Rally Norway. Now our hope is to be able to have some good results for the two last rallies, and also to win the Norwegian Rally Championship.

H&H: What is your favourite event on the calendar? And, why?
Mads: There are many nice rallies, but I would say that Rally Norway is amazing. It has never been a good rally for me, but the stages, the nice winter and the surroundings with the Viking Ship makes the rally outstanding!

H&H: The glory days of the current WRC cars are numbered. From 2010, they will be running S2000+ rally cars. What are your views on this? You have already gained so much experience in an S2000, will we be seeing you on the WRC podiums more often?
Mads: I think the new rules is a perfect change to the modern WRC. Everything has gone too far, and it needs to be adjusted down to a level that makes it possible for new manufacturers to enter. And hopefully this can give more drivers the opportunity to fight for top positions.

Article by EVAN ROTHMAN / HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS

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Scott Coursey is the editor-in-chief of RallyBuzz.com and can be found on Twitter or on Facebook