Ford wants to drive the point home in Finland

After Citroën went it alone during the first five rallies, the Ford team was able to reverse the trend since the Rally from Sardinia last May. Victorious in the last two rounds, Mikko Hirvonen is now leading the Drivers' World Championship with four rallies remaining in the season. The Finn is one point ahead of his rival for the title, Frenchman Sébastien Loeb before the start of Rally Finland. At home, Hirvonen will aim for nothing other than victory, having finished on the second step of the podium twice in seven appearances.

A good performance this week would certainly allow him to approach the home stretch for the title with morale pumped up. “ What I think is that the season is becoming a mini championship with four rounds including three on gravel and one on asphalt. I lead the championship with one point; so I have my destiny in my hands " said Hirvonen.

To carry out his business successfully, he will be able to count on the unconditional support of his teammate Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finn, victorious in Italy this season, recognizes that he will have more pressure, especially after his huge mistake in the last special of the Rally Poland last month which cost his team the double. “ I have a job to do here which is to score big points to help Mikko on his road to the title. Poland was a fast rally, so that should help us find the right speed in Finland “, indicated the 24-year-old young man.

To best prepare for the event, Malcolm Wilson's men completed four days of testing in Finland last week to iron out the final details. Hirvonen covered 554 km on Monday and Tuesday while Latvala covered 520 km.