WRC: Hirvonen thrilled with ‘ideal’ start

Mikko Hirvonen says his victory on the weekend’s Rally Sweden was the perfect start to the 2010 WRC season and a reward for his new aggressive attitude.

The 29-year-old claimed a 43-second victory ahead of reigning champion Sebastien Loeb to claim maximum points as he looks to overcome the disappointment of missing out on last year’s title to the six-time champion by just one point.

The victory was the Ford works driver’s 12th in his career, and the importance of making such a positive start to the new season was not lost on the Finnish driver.

"After losing the title last year by a point I knew I had to win more, rather than settle for consistent points finishes, so this is the ideal start," said Hirvonen. "It was a big win for us and I want many more this season. It's the first time I've won the opening round of the year. I tried to be more aggressive from the start in all aspects of my performance. It was a brave decision yesterday to change the tyres when I did but it paid off and those kind of decisions make the difference between winning and losing.”

Condition is Sweden were far from ideal for any of the drivers as the record low temperatures affected the road surface.

"It was such a hard rally for the tyres on the exposed gravel and you can't imagine how nervous I was driving the final stage,” Hirvonen explained. “I have a year's more experience of a title battle than this time last year and I think that showed here. I need to continue in the same way for the rest of the season.”

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson was thrilled with Hirvonen’s win and hailed his driver’s performance.

"His drive on the second leg was by far his best performance in the way he managed both the day and, particularly, his tyres,” he said. “He is putting his experience to good use. He has progressed steadily over the years to the point that he is now beating the world's best driver.”

Watch the WRC on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) in 2010.


Andy Wilkinson