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WRC NEWS 

Mikko Hirvonen still hopes to restart Rally GB despite Friday damage

Mikko Hirvonen's Ford in Rally GB serviceMikko Hirvonen says he remains hopeful of returning to the Rally GB stages tomorrow, despite his early retirement from the event this morning.

The Finn was forced out of the rally after a branch pierced the radiator on his Ford Fiesta RS WRC when he spun on the first run through Dyfnant this morning.

Hirvonen and his car have now returned to the service park in Builth Wells, where the team is inspecting the damage to the front of the #3 machine.

"It's not sure that we can't restart yet," said Hirvonen. "And I would want to go back out tomorrow. It would be good to get back out there and drive again.

"What has happened is, obviously, really disappointing, but let's see what is happening with the car."

Hirvonen came into the rally eight points behind championship leader Sebastien Loeb, who currently leads the event.

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