Mikko Hirvonen: “Everything is possible”

Winner of the opening round in Sweden last February, the Finn from Ford had not won again until his trip to the antipodes two weeks ago. His regularity, throughout the season, however, allowed him to stay in contact with the Citroën drivers, to the point of recently regaining second place in the standings from Sébastien Ogier, also victim of an eliminatory touch in Australia. Fifteen points behind Sébastien Loeb, the hope of still being titled remains alive.

« I would stop if I didn't think I could still achieve it, Mikko told Eurosport. JI know it will be difficult and it may seem unrealistic but I know how to keep my feet on the ground. There is still a chance, with two asphalt rallies and one on gravel on the program. This simply means that I have to win at least two. It will be difficult in France, but there is still Spain. The first day takes place on land. We will therefore have to try to get ahead in order to manage it over the next two days on the tarmac. And then there is Britain, where anything can happen. So everything is possible ».

If by chance he were to cross the podium at the foot of the European Parliament on Sunday, Hirvonen would thumb his nose at his rival for the title. “ It would be a nice revenge on his French supporters, if after he won in Finland, in my hometown of Jyvaskyla, I won in his. I would like to win it, but we know how fast he is, especially here. we never know “, he joked.

Find the Guide to Rally from France-Alsace in the 1823 issue of AUTOhebdo still on newsstands.