Hänninen: This is a real rally

Juho Hänninen won the Azores Rally, after battling with Andreas Mikkelsen for victory. The Finn, who takes the lead in the Championship, is delighted to have experienced such a closely fought fight for victory.

Published on 17/07/2011 à 11:36

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The fight for victory was undecided for a long time between Juho Hänninen and Andreas Mikkelsen. The two Skoda drivers were separated by only a few seconds during the three stages of the Rally of the Azores, until the reigning Champion outdistanced the Norwegian, forced to settle for second place.

Signing his third victory of the season and taking control of the Championship, Juho Hänninen does not hide his satisfaction. “I feel pretty good and it’s even getting better and better”, comments the winner. “It was a good weekend. The car worked well and I would also like to thank Andreas (Mikkelsen) who gave me a great fight all weekend. This is what rallying should be like, where we fight for every tenth. »

Juho Hänninen will be entered in the next Rally Czech Republic, where he will try to achieve his fourth victory of the season. “I will be there to play for victory, but it will be as difficult as here. My teammate (Jan Kopecky) is very strong on this terrain and we saw the pace shown by Andreas in Ukraine and here. I will try to win but it won't be easy. »

Find the report on the Azores Rally in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, on sale from Wednesday.