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Former World Rally champion Didier Auriol will return to the Monte Carlo Rally's 2009 edition driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 run by Italian team Grifone.

It will be the three-times Monte Carlo winner's second year of the IRC, having contested a selected programme of events on the series with a Grifone Abarth Grande Punto in 2008.

"I'm going to be trying my best, but I have to be realistic and know that I am not going to start off by amongst the potential winners," the 50 year-old commented from his home in Millau, France.

"I'm not currently competing, I'm 50 years old and your motivation as well as your perception of risk is very different at that age. I still have my passion for rallying but I'm here just to enjoy myself.

"Whilst I practise sport and look after myself, you cannot compare it with the preparation that you get from being in the car all the time. It's not logical that I should be able to compete with the top guys. But it doesn't mean that I won't be trying."

Auriol won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1990, 1992 and 1993.

He went on to become France's first world champion in 1994, claiming what was at the time the most number of World Rally Championship victories in one season after a dominant run.

The Frenchman hopes to get behind the wheel of the new Peugeot he will use during a one-day test in Italy.

Auriol will be co-driven by the experienced Denis Giraudet.

"I think the first stage of the rally will be quite decisive for me," added Auriol.

"I'm going to be pushing quite hard on that one, just to see where we are compared to everyone else. At the moment, I don't know what our real pace is in comparison with the young guys.

"If I see after that stage that I am not so far behind, then I will continue to push: if we're a long way behind then we'll just calm down and drive our own rally.

"Whatever happens, I'm going to enjoy it."

IRC / Eurosport