Hirvonen-Loeb, a close duel

The announced duel between Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus) and Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C4) keeps all its promises. Getting off to a better start at the start of the day, with two scratch times in SS2 and SS3, the Finn did it again at the start of the afternoon, winning in the same two sectors (SS6 and SS7). Sébastien Loeb set the best time in the four other special stages of the day, on the Mokkipera and Palsankyla tracks.

If Sébastien Loeb lost precious seconds in the specials where he did not shine, he was able to make up a few tenths to get closer to Mikko Hirvonen. “ My time here (in SS9) is still good, confides the Frenchman. But the other passage (SS7) was more difficult and Mikko was fast, so we lost time. But it's a good fight. »

Opener of the track, Mikko Hirvonen was able to keep the advantage on his land. “ Everything went well today, says the Finn. But two of the stages were difficult for me and Sébastien came back quickly. I made two or three mistakes. It wasn't very good this afternoon but I think I can escape tomorrow. That?s the idea. » Saturday, where eight special stages are still on the program, will therefore be decisive for the final victory. In the meantime, the drivers still have a special stage planned for this Friday. SS10 will take place on the route of the Killeri super special, which the drivers already took on Thursday evening.

Far from the fight for the first places, Kimi Räikkönen had a very good first day. The Finnish driver, at the wheel of his Abarth Grande Punto S2000, is 17th, just 37” behind Anton Alen, an experienced driver behind the wheel of the second Grande Punto. On the disappointment side, the day was marked by Petter Solberg's double puncture. The Norwegian, who did not finish the day, has lost all hope of achieving a good result this weekend. As for Citroën Junior Team driver Evgeny Novikov, he was quickly knocked offside after sending his C4 WRC in the trees at the start of the day.