Hirvonen flies to victory

Mikko Hirvonen flies to his first success on the Rally from Finland. Twice second, the Finn has a fantastic opportunity to win his first 'home' victory, the third in a row this season. On the evening of the second stage, he is ahead of his rival for the title, Sébastien Loeb, of 33,2 seconds, and can therefore calmly manage the end of the rally.

Author of six fastest times on the nine special stages of the day, Hirvonen sent a strong signal to his opponents who were never able to follow his pace when he was at full throttle. After SS14, the fourth special of the day, Loeb could already only see the damage and showed a resigned face. “ I have never taken so many risks in a special and it still doesn't change “, he declared at the checkpoint. » I'm trying to catch up but it's getting really difficult. »

A puncture in the following special stage will put an end to the World Champion's last hopes. This evening, the latter is more than thirty seconds behind the Finn while there are only four fairly short stages remaining on Sunday morning. “ Everything went as we planned "Mikko said. “ It's a shame that Seb had a problem, otherwise we would have fought to the end. The plan for tomorrow is to continue my momentum. With this advance, I don't need to take as many risks as I was able to take! »

On the other hand, behind, the battle is most indecisive. Dani Sordo (Citroën) and Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford) are separated by only 10,5 seconds. Third for a good part of the rally, the Spaniard gave up his place at Latvala in SS16 but is determined to do everything to get it back on Sunday morning. “ It was a really difficult day “, explained Latvala. “ I first got sick in the morning (he was the victim of food poisoning, editor's note) and then, when I felt better, I attacked to overtake Sordo. Now I have to continue and keep Sordo behind. The plan for tomorrow is the same – without the illness I hope! »

Behind the leading quartet, Matti Rantanen leads the second group. Sixth, Sébatien Ogier follows right behind at 17,5 seconds. Jari Ketomaa, Matthew Wilson, Conrad Rautenbach and Khalid Al Qassimi complete the top 10.

Finally, Kimi Räikkönen, for his first appearance in WRC, went off the road in the last special of the day, SS19, while he was 15th in the general classification. Mads Ostberg imitated him a few minutes earlier, finishing in the ditch in the same place.