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A win for Sebastien Loeb from the 2011 Rally of Australia will get him closer to an eighth consecutive World Rally championship.
Citroen driver Loeb was second behind team mate Sebastien Ogier at the previous race, theRally of Germany after Ogier defied team orders instructing him to let Loeb overtake.
Ogier, 25 points behind Loeb with four rallies left, arrived in Australia early to prepare and has not spoken to Loeb since the German rally.
FEUDING SEBS?
Ogier did not attend a media conference in Sydney, adding to speculation about a tense relationship between the two.
Loeb said he didn't ask for preferential treatment during the German rally. "It was Ogier's problem with the team, it was not my problem. I didn't ask for any orders, he was just doing what he wanted."
Loeb said he was unsure whether to go all out for victory or to do just enough to keep ahead of Ogier and third-placed Mikko Hirvonen, who is 36 points behind Loeb.
"It's not a huge lead, it's always more important to score points than to win, but still we have to push. I'll drive like I feel and for sure if I can fight for the win I'll try to do it," he added.
HIRVONEN BACKS CHANCES
Ogier said he still believed he had a chance of ending Loeb's seven-year reign. "As long as there is a mathematical chance of winning the world title, I will continue to believe in it," he said.
Ford's Hirvonen is the only other driver with a chance of taking the title but conceded he would have to make his move now.
"If I want to fight for the title I need to win this one," he said.
The most recent Rally of Australia, in 2009, was marred by protesters upset that the course went through their region of northern New South Wales. The 2011 race will be held 300km further south so organisers did not expect problems.
The route, to the west, south and north of Coffs Harbour, will consist of 26 stages over 369km.
Citroen driver Loeb was second behind team mate Sebastien Ogier at the previous race, theRally of Germany after Ogier defied team orders instructing him to let Loeb overtake.
Ogier, 25 points behind Loeb with four rallies left, arrived in Australia early to prepare and has not spoken to Loeb since the German rally.
FEUDING SEBS?
Ogier did not attend a media conference in Sydney, adding to speculation about a tense relationship between the two.
Loeb said he didn't ask for preferential treatment during the German rally. "It was Ogier's problem with the team, it was not my problem. I didn't ask for any orders, he was just doing what he wanted."
Loeb said he was unsure whether to go all out for victory or to do just enough to keep ahead of Ogier and third-placed Mikko Hirvonen, who is 36 points behind Loeb.
"It's not a huge lead, it's always more important to score points than to win, but still we have to push. I'll drive like I feel and for sure if I can fight for the win I'll try to do it," he added.
HIRVONEN BACKS CHANCES
Ogier said he still believed he had a chance of ending Loeb's seven-year reign. "As long as there is a mathematical chance of winning the world title, I will continue to believe in it," he said.
Ford's Hirvonen is the only other driver with a chance of taking the title but conceded he would have to make his move now.
"If I want to fight for the title I need to win this one," he said.
The most recent Rally of Australia, in 2009, was marred by protesters upset that the course went through their region of northern New South Wales. The 2011 race will be held 300km further south so organisers did not expect problems.
The route, to the west, south and north of Coffs Harbour, will consist of 26 stages over 369km.