Top 5 of Mikko Hirvonen's cars in rally and rally raid

5.Subaru Impreza WRC

Mikko Hirvonen at rally of Finland 2004 © François Flamand / DPPI

One of its most beautiful competition cars, but unfortunately not the most victorious, far from it. In 2004, Mikko Hirvonen was catapulted into an official Subaru driver alongside outgoing champion Petter Solberg to replace the late Richard Burns, who had contracted cancer a few months earlier.

But at only 23 years old, the Finn suffered, and only recorded a fourth place as his best result in rallying (Australia). His accidents will also be more numerous than his performances...

4. Citroën DS3 WRC

Mikko Hirvonen at the 2012 Rally of Finland. © FREDERIC LE FLOC'H / DPPI

Bored by the Ford adventure, Mikko Hirvonen changed direction by joining Citroën Racing in 2012. A double-edged choice because he became the team of his tormentor, Sébastien Loeb. Dominated by the Frenchman, he took advantage of his consistency (no abandonment) to take second place, 57 points behind the Alsatian.

The departure of Sébastien Loeb in 2013 should have been the unmissable opportunity for the Finn, but it was not to be. He finished painfully fourth, far from another Sébastien, Sébastien Ogier, which will lead to his eviction.

3. Mini John Cooper Works Rally

Mikko Hirvonen at the 2016 Dakar. © FREDERIC LE FLOC'H / DPPI

After announcing his retirement from the WRC at the end of 2014 at the age of 34, Mikko Hirvonen finds himself a new challenge: rally raid. He was enlisted by the X-Raid team in mid-2015, which put him behind the wheel of a very reliable 4×4 Mini, an ideal weapon for discovering all the pitfalls of the Dakar in 2016.

For his debut at the high level in this category, he enlisted the services of experienced navigator Michel Périn and finished just off the podium, not without winning a stage victory. The following year, he would have more difficulty, with a meager 13th place.

2. Ford Fiesta S2000

Mikko Hirvonen at Monte-Carlo 2010. © WRI2

For a first attempt, it was a masterstroke. Willingly participating in the promotion of the new Super 2000 version of the Ford Fiesta built by M-Sport, the Finn takes part in the rally of Monte Carlo, at the time inaugural round of theIntercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). Good pick, since despite the typical conditions of this event (stages on snow, then on wet roads), he won with almost two minutes ahead of his compatriot Juho Hänninen (Skoda).

1. Ford Focus WRC

Mikko Hirvonen at the 2006 Argentina Rally. © FRANCOIS FLAMAND / DPPI

The faithful machine for three of the four unofficial world vice-champion titles (2008, 2009, 2011). At the wheel, Mikko Hirvonen found an official driver contract in 2006 after a year of piecemeal participation. Malcolm Wilson, boss of M-Sport, was not mistaken in placing his trust in the “Flying Finn”. Two years after serving as teammate for Marcus Grönholm, he was promoted to leader in 2008.

Unfortunately, he will always lack a little extra aggressiveness or success to dethrone Sébastien Loeb, as evidenced by the tiny difference from the 2009 season: one point ! Nevertheless, Mikko Hirvonen will glean on board 14 of his 15 WRC victories.