Burns struggling with 206

Former World champion Richard Burns has confessed that he is finiding it difficult adapting his driving style to the dominant Peugeot 206 WRC. Since winning the title in 2001 with Subaru, Burns has failed to win a rally and has been overshadowed by the pace of team-mate Marcus Gronholm.

Burns: Not enough experience to win Monte Carlo

"If I was totally honest and looked at how I was with the Subaru and how I am with the Peugeot, then it isn't the same feeling of being totally at one with it," Burns told the Guardian newspaper on Thursday.

"It's almost like I have to tell myself how to drive it rather than just getting in it and doing it, because you don't just drive it like you would expect to be able to drive a rally car," he added. "It's almost like I have to slow down. It's a very strange mindset to put yourself into. You don't chuck it around in the same way."

The 32-year-old was Peugeot's highest finisher in the season-opening Monte Carlo rally last month, placing fifth, but only because Gronholm hit a rock and damaged his steering while leading on the second day.

His lack of pace was contrasted by British rival Colin McRae's strong debut for Citroen, finishing second in his first race with that French team.

The odds are against Burns winning in Sweden, even though it is one of his favourite rallies and Peugeot have won it for the last three years, because the events has never been won by a non-Nordic driver. Gronholm won in 2002.

"I'm not thinking about how am I going to beat Marcus," said Burns, who finished last year fifth overall in the championship. "I'm more thinking about how am I going to get more out of myself. Last year was a struggle, certainly the first half. This year I have a lot more confidence in my ability to do it."