Mikko Hirvonen hopes running first on the road will not prove too much of a hindrance when the Rally of Mexico gets under way on Friday.
The Finn won the opening round of the World Rally Championship in Sweden to lead the standings and, as a result, will now be the first man to run on the loose, gravel stages.
Running first can be problematic on gravel rallies as the first runner sweeps away the top surface, leaving a smoother, quicker surface for the cars behind.
But the Ford ace would not exchange his victory in Sweden for a place further back in the running order.
He told wrc.com: "Leading the championship can have its disadvantages and I now run first on the road for the opening gravel rally of the season.
"My rivals have better road positions than me so it will be difficult, but I'll still try to find a way to challenge for the win.
"I'm not underestimating the difficulties, but I wouldn't swap my win in Sweden for a better start seeding."
He continued: "Sweden was the perfect start to the championship for both me and the team. It's important that we build on that in Mexico and continue to take the brave decisions that paid off in the opening round.
"The first gravel rally of the season is always an interesting one because, with the majority of the championship on that surface, it gives pointers as to how the season may play out."
Sebastien Loeb, the reigning world champion, is keen to get back to winning ways in Mexico and prevent his principle rival from opening up a lead at the top of the drivers' championship.
"We can't really say that the championship's got off to a bad start with our second place in Sweden," said the Citroen ace.
"But I'm not going to let Mikko Hirvonen open up a gap in the overall classification. A win would put us on level pegging."
Another man looking for an improved display in Mexico is Kimi Raikkonen. The 2007 Formula One world champion struck a snow bank on the opening day in Sweden and could only finish a lowly 30th, and he has set himself the target of getting to the finish this weekend.
"We learned a lot in Sweden and this will certainly help us in Mexico, but effectively we are starting all over again from the beginning now," said the former Ferrari driver.
"My approach is going to be exactly the same though: we want to build up our speed at a comfortable pace and above all get to the finish. We managed to get quicker and quicker the last time we were out and this will be the aim for us again in Mexico."