Peugeot pledge to give maximum despite pull-out.

Peugeot have insisted that there will be no slacking this season, despite the fact they are set to pull out of the FIA World Rally Championship at the end of 2005, along with sister brand, Citroen.

New Peugeot team boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has insisted that they will be pushing just as hard - and that any suggestion that they might be easing off is nothing short of an insult.

"We have effectively been through a troubled period and there was undeniably cause to feel unsettled," he admitted. "But here at Peugeot Sport there's no need for a magic recipe. Everyone pulls together the instant there's a fresh hint of success and everyone is passionate about their motor sport.

"Their motivation may be momentarily shaken but there is absolutely no getting away from that fact that their sole objective is to win, and to keep on winning. When the 307 WRC is reliable and competitive, the human side of the operation also runs at full song. The team has weathered other storms and, each time, it has proved its ability to bow to the wind, let the storm pass and fight on to merit better days. I am confident in our chances of finding ourselves on an upwards spiral again very soon."

"The fact that this is our final season in rallying hasn't changed anything," he continued. "Our approach is the same and our ambition is to win the world title for Peugeot. We weren't strong in 2004 in terms of reliability and the blame for that is shared between the team and the crews.

"This year, the 307 WRC is a definite contender for victory. We doubtlessly deserved better in the season's two opening rounds but there are still plenty of other opportunities to score points."

As if to prove that Peugeot have no intention of taking it easy, they will introduce a new specification 307 WRC in Mexico, joining the likes of Subaru and Skoda, who will also field updated cars.

"The wider track dimensions [on the new 307] will be an advantage on the loose, as should the car's current weight split which we have improved since 2004," he added. "We will see how we go in Mexico without losing sight of the fact that it will be essential to score points with both cars.

"As far as the rest of the year is concerned, the testing we have done - including on the rough - has shown that the 2005-spec 307 WRC is both reliable and quick. Both our crews have the potential to be up there with the best on every event. The conditions will determine each time whether we should aim for victory or make sure of finishing."