Ford could 'hold Hirvonen back'

Despite having competed on more than 30 events since he made his debut in 2002, including his season as a works Subaru driver in 2004, Wilson reckons that on some events Hirvonen won't have the necessary experience to challenge at the front, and he will attempt to measure his pace to ensure a finish on the event.

Wilson has assured Hirvonen that there is no difference in status between himself and the team's other new signing, double world champion Marcus Gronholm, despite his countryman having no such restrictions on some events.

Wilson told autosport.com: "Both drivers will have equal equipment. But we will hold Mikko back on some rallies where he doesn't have the experience. He still needs to learn on some events and we will have to measure his pace accordingly.

"But Mikko showed strong potential on events this year in older machinery such as in Greece, Catalunya and Sweden and he will be allowed to use that experience on those events.

"The turning point in me signing Mikko was Greece, with such a strong run in the 2003 Focus. From what I've seen he is hugely talented and this is a huge opportunity for him to get some extra testing and more experience."

Wilson says that the signing of Gronholm gave the team a huge boost, and that Hirvonen can learn from the former Peugeot driver.

"Signing Marcus has given everyone a huge lift, to the point where engineers are fighting to be the ones to work on his car. He can push the car as hard as possible and we can learn from that.

"Mikko can learn from Marcus too for example, at Marcus only test days Mikko will be present."