For the LOTOS Dynamic Rally Team ADAC Rallye Deutschland, round nine in the World Championship and round six in the PWRC Classification, was the second asphalt event of the season after Monte Carlo Rally. By winning the rally, Michał Kościuszko advanced from the fourth to the second position in the PWRC classification, with a total of 65 points.

Before the last two events of the season, the Polish driver is 15 points behind Benito Guerra, the leader in the PWRC standings, with whom he fought a fascinating battle. 

Interview with Michał Kościuszko, a double winner in the 2011 PWRC and 2009 JWRC World Rally Championship, on the fight, difficulties and victory in the Rally Germany.

You won a very difficult race – Rally Germany. How do you feel when the pressure is now off?

- I feel great. It was an amazing weekend. I couldn't have dreamt of anything better. The fight with Benito Guerra was a real pleasure and driving head to head make the victory taste even better.

Before Rally Germany you were fourth in the PWRC classification and now you're second. Did you expect to advance that much in the classification?

- Before the race I knew that I didn't have any other option but to try and make a perfect end of the season. There were only three races left. To be able to compete for the top podium position we first had to win Rally Germany. I knew it wouldn't be easy because it was one of the most difficult asphalt rounds.

What do drivers find most difficult in this rally?

- The difficulty of any rally lies in, among other things, the nature of special stages. Rally Germany has very diverse track. In special stages many corners need to be cut, which makes such places very muddy, but the rules prohibit cutting tyres. That is why we have to use the same tread on dry and wet surface, which makes the rally much more difficult. During the first day, we raced through narrow, winding and extremely challenging roads through vineyards. All drivers complained of overheating brakes. Brake discs were red-hot. On Saturday, we raced in a military training area, where surface changed every metre, and the 46.54 km Arena Panzerplatte special stage was the longest one in the rally.

Analysing the results of Rally Germany it seems you and Benito were the main actors of the show.

- Indeed, we were the pacesetters for this rally. I left behind all rivals in the first loop on Friday. In the second one, Benito accelerated and I felt he was on the attack. After the first day, we were only several seconds apart. I knew that on Saturday we would be in for a true fight and that neither of us would yield. The morning greeted us with strong rainfall and I knew the conditions will get even worse. Weather changed every ten minutes. It was difficult to choose the right strategy and tyres. In fact, there was no right choice. You could take a greater or lower risk, but either way the risk was there. I knew the stakes were high. I decided to make bold choices and from the start I knew that I came to Germany to win.

I understand that your goal is to win the World Championship. What is your plan to gain the winning title?

- The best way is to win the last two races. I'm aware that it will not be easy but we will certainly take up the challenge.

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