Peugeot Italy driver Luca Rossetti, who currently leads the IRC series jointly with Nicolas Vouilloz (26 points each), is aiming to re-etablish his advantage at the head of the IRC leaderboard.

Rossetti won the opening two rallies of the IRC season, in Turkey and Portugal, but was forced to miss the most recent round in Russia due to clashing commitments.

"I'm feeling quite confident about Madeira," he said. "It's the first time that I have competed on this event, but I was there last year as a spectator. As long as there is nothing strange with the weather – which is always a possibility in Madeira – then it should present itself as a classic asphalt rally."

"My goal is going to be to score as many points as possible and hopefully come away in the lead of the championship," Rossetti stated.

Nonetheless, the Italian is not underestimating the task ahead of him: "At the moment Nicolas (Vouilloz) is my strongest rival for the title, but I've got no doubt at all that Abarth will bounce back. If you look at Basso last year, it's easy to see how strong he is."

"Another person who will definitely be quick is Bruno Magalhaes in the Peugeot Portugal car – so I will definitely have to fight hard," Rosetti added.

Before then, there will be a big celebration in the Rossetti household as Luca is marrying his fiancee Renata in Italy this weekend.

"The honeymoon will have to wait until the end of the year," he joked. "Renata will come to Madeira, but it is probably not the same thing!"