Sebastien Loeb is dreaming of an eighth Monte Carlo Rally victory this weekend after agreeing to make a one-off appearance for Citroen in the race.
The nine-time world champion retired from full-time rallying in 2012 but has made guest appearances since - including victory in Monaco in 2013.
Loeb did not race last year but has accepted an invite from Citroen to compete in the opening round of the 2015 season, and while the Frenchman does not expect to win, he has allowed himself to dream of returning to the top of the podium.
Loeb said: "When Citroen Racing offered me the chance to take part in this rally, it didn't take long to decide.
"Monte Carlo is held on French roads, and I love the atmosphere and how close we get to our supporters. I'm happy to get that special feeling back in the DS3 WRC. On the first day of testing, I had to get back into the swing of things, but it all came back to me pretty quickly.
"My aim is to be competitive, but we have to remember that I haven't driven in a rally at this level for over a year. Every time I start a race, I give it my best shot. It'll be no different this time and if we can fight for the win, so much the better."
Citroen will hope the return of the mercurial Frenchman can have a destabilising effect on defending champion - a long-term rival of Loeb - Sebastien Ogier.
Ogier was dominant in 2014 with eight rally wins out of 13, but it is not only Loeb who poses a threat to his chances of a second Monte Carlo victory in a row.
Finn Jari-Matti Latvala was runner up to his Volkswagen team-mate last season, and the 29-year-old is hungry for a solid start as he goes in search of a first world title.
"I want to be crowned world champion come the end of the season," he stated. "As such, I will be aiming for a place in the top four at the Rally Monte Carlo.
"That would be a success for me. I will definitely not be risking everything to try and win the rally."
Ogier and Latvala were comfortably clear at the top of the standings in 2014, with Thierry Neuville the only other driver able to claim a race win as he tasted success at the Rally Germany.
The race - which also sees former Formula One driver Robert Kubica return - will be contested over 15 special stages running 355.48 kilometres.