Hirvonen takes the lead in the championship… very happy!

After the first day spent in second position of the Rally Sweden, and after Sébastien Loeb’s withdrawal, as well as realizing Jari-Matti Latvala’s domination, Mikko Hirvonen is happy to have finally taken a second place in Sweden.

Finnish BP Ford driver Hirvonen said he was pleased to have taken the lead in the WRC Drivers’ Championship thanks to his second place.

Hirvonen came to win, but ultimately settles for a second place which was already difficult to maintain. The second day indeed held a few surprises for him at the start of each stage where he had to open the road and serve as a “sweeper.”

« With Jari-Matti, we are two young drivers, but we have proven that we can secure a one-two finish for a very strong Ford team », stated Hirvonen.

« I came here to win, but Jari-Matti secured his lead from Friday. He was the strong man this weekend, and I preferred to settle for second place. I console myself even more because I had never led the championship in my career. I am sure we will have other battles with my teammate. On Friday, I was frustrated not to find the right pace, but I adapted to the situation. I wanted those points. I always said I needed to finish second if I wasn’t able to win, and that’s what I did. »