Loeb: Don't underestimate Hirvonen

After having experienced two consecutive abandonments (exiting the road in Australia and engine failure in Alsace), Sébastien Loeb won another victory in Rally of Spain, giving him an 8-point lead over his rival Mikko Hirvonen before facing the last event of the season in Wales. The seven-time world champion will start with an advantage in points but handicapped by his position as opener on the road and he knows that the Flying Finn could surprise after having shown discretion so far.

“Mikko is very mentally strong in these situations”, recalls Sébastien Loeb. “We must not underestimate him, he has happened to outrageously dominate certain rallies. Halfway through the season, he said he no longer believed in his chances of winning the title. But the progress of the last rallies put him back in the saddle. Somehow, he doesn't have much to lose and he's going to want to seize his chance! For him, finishing second has no interest. He will undoubtedly attack straight away to seek victory. It is undoubtedly he who will set the pace of the race. »

Discover in the next issue of AUTOhebdo a 7-page presentation of the Rally of Great Britain.