Loeb-Hirvonen: final act

Sébastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen have been the two rivals for the world title since the start of the season. After eleven duels which led them to be separated by only one point, the two men will decide between themselves during the last round of the season, the Rally of Great Britain.

Published on 22/10/2009 à 12:40

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Mikko Hirvonen and Sébastien Loeb, after eleven Rallies, are separated by only one point. Everything will be decided in Great Britain, where the fastest of the two will win the world drivers' title. At 29, the Finn would win his first title in WRC, when the Frenchman could obtain a sixth consecutive coronation at 35 years old.

The track record speaks for the Frenchman, who holds the record for WRC victories, with 53 successes, while Mikko Hirvonen has only won eleven times. In Great Britain, the two men are tied, having each won a victory, Hirvonen in 2007, Loeb in 2008.

Sébastien Loeb, who seemed to be heading towards a title already promised at the start of the year with five victories in five events, saw the Finn gain the upper hand thanks to his consistency. By winning in Spain, the Frenchman put himself back in the position of winning the title, having to finish ahead of the Finn in Wales.

It will all start on Friday morning, with the long (32,14 km) Hafren special, a special in which Mikko Hirvonen will start in the lead, which should not bother the Finn. “ I really like driving here and the roads suit me well, confirmed the Finn this week. At this time of year there will be no ice or snow, so it should be perfect. »

On Friday and Saturday, the drivers will have to complete two loops of three special stages each day, while on Sunday they will complete two loops of two special stages. And it is therefore on Sunday, after the second passage in the Rheola special (22,51 km), around 13:15 p.m. (French time), that the world rally champion of the 2010 season will be known.