Oliver Solberg shines to catch up with the sun in the mountain village of Moulinet when he steps out of the upgraded car he used to write notes for the Monte Carlo rally.
His first as an official factory driver.
- Everything is so new and it is so special.
You see your name on the big tent, the official car, you have new clothes, an official recce car.
It's a little difficult to understand, but it falls into place during the competition, he says.
Finished strongly
Solberg finished last season by finishing fifth in Monza, Italy and hopes to continue on the same track now.
- I showed that I have good speed on asphalt last year and I have shown that in all conditions now.
But I still have a lot to learn with notes and ways here.
At the same time, for the sake of the unusual, he largely avoids driving on snow and ice in Monte Carlo.
- It probably helps everyone in these new cars in the first race, nice to get dry and nice.
Different layout
This year's edition is very different from the two previous editions that Värmland has run when it comes to the distances.
He was not least warned about this when he spoke to nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb before the rally.
Hear more about it in the video above.