Gronholm's Wales Rally GB win was his seventh of the season

Gronholm won the Wales Rally GB on Sunday to finish just one point behind Sebastien Loeb in the final standings.

"There will be some fantastic battles between the two drivers next year," said Wilson.

"We are developing our car and we'll continue to do that and I think it's important we don't stand still."

The final 2007 table did flatter Finn Gronholm, however, because Loeb missed the last three rounds of the series having broken his arm in a mountain bike accident.

But Wilson expects Gronholm to push Loeb all the way when the 2007 campaign begins in January.

The important thing for the early part of next year is reliability, to try to capitalise at the start of the season. Ford rally boss Malcolm Wilson

"It will be fantastic to have Loeb back in the championship and I hope he's 100% fit for Monte Carlo in January," Wilson said.

"He has won three times there so it won't be easy there for sure.

"We are testing in France and Sweden before Christmas so basically the development is non-stop."

Wilson is confident Gronholm's Focus RS WRC 06 can carry the fight to Loeb's Kronos Citroen outfit.

"We are not really planning any major changes," added former British rally champion Wilson.

"Certainly in the early part of the season we'll continue with the current car.

"We feel the important thing for the early part of next year is reliability, to try to capitalise at the start of the season.

"And then towards the middle of the year we'll be looking to do an evolution to the current car."

Gronholm, the 2000 and 2002 world champion, is also convinced he can dethrone Loeb next year.

"Yes, absolutely, why not?" the 38-year-old said.