Hirvonen aims for podium at Monte-Carlo

Mikko Hirvonen prepares to compete in his first rally aboard the Citroën DS3 WRC with the Monte-Carlo event. The Finn completed the shakedown which took place this morning in Valencia by ranking 1"7 behind the scratch achieved by Evgeny Novikov. The Finn is aware that he will have to face many difficulties. Returning to an event where the course has been largely modified and with more than uncertain weather for the coming days, the former Ford driver would be satisfied to conclude the week with a podium.

“I am happy to start the season at Monte-Carlo”, says Mikko Hirvonen. ?I worked a lot with the team during the off-season and I feel good in the car. That said, it's always a little different when you find yourself at the start of a special stage that you don't know by heart, when you only have to rely on your notes and what you see in front of the hood. Before the snow fell, I thought it would be a relatively easy run. But in fact, I believe it will be a ?real? Monte Carlo ! If I can start my collaboration with Citroën by getting a podium, I will already be satisfied. »

Discover in your AUTOhebdo magazine, on newsstands tomorrow, our WRC Guide 2012 of 38 pages, including an exclusive interview with Sébastien Loeb.