Gronholm beats Brits in Finland

Gronholm never really looked threatened on his home rally and the only chink in the Peugeot armour seemed to be suspension trouble, which struck Didier Auriol on Saturday and caused Harri Rovanpera to drop from second to fourth on the final stage of the event.

The reigning world champ had no so such problem and went on to take a deserved win, albeit with a little more opposition than he had expected.

"There was more fight on this rally than last year," said Gronholm. "But I have to say I never really felt under pressure. Harri was pushing hard of course, but then he had some problems. It's nice to win again."

Burns' love of the fast, sweeping Finnish stages showed once again as he set two fastest times from the final Leg's three stages to take second behind Gronholm. But the Englishman really needed to win the event to put him back in the title fight. Despite his second place, he remains fifth in the standings, 19 points behind leader Tommi Makinen, but he didn't come away too disappointed.

"I said before the rally that I wanted to put in a good drive and get a podium finish and we've done that," said Burns. "The last stage was unlucky for Harri, but that can happen. I did smile when I saw his time.

"Today was very good. There was more flowing in my driving. Looking at the times Harri and Marcus could do, I'm not sure I could have won this year. But it'll come sooner rather than later."

Despite two fastest stage times on Saturday, McRae never really matched the pace of the Peugeots or Burns' Impreza WRC. But with Makinen out of the way on the first stage of event, the Scot was more concerned with taking points than going for the outright win.

A late charge saw the Ford ace set the second fastest times on the final two stages - 0.6s behind Burns on the final test of the day. It was enough for him to follow his fellow Brit ahead of Rovanpera to take third and a welcome four points.

"I didn't realise I was third until a cameraman asked me about it at the finish," said McRae, who now trails Makinen by just six points. "We had settled for fourth and fourth would have been fine. But the extra point could make a difference at the end of the season."

Rovanpera fully deserved second, but wound up fourth after nursing his 206 to the finish. A suspension leak started up on SS20, which developed into a full-blown shock absorber problem by SS21.

"In the last stage I had to go easy to make sure I reached the finish," said a disappointed Rovanpera. "Of course I would have liked to have finished second and I am disappointed. But it makes me more determined for next year."

Subaru young guns Petter Solberg and Markko Martin grew in confidence as the event progressed, ensuring all three Imprezas regularly graced the top end of the time sheets by the final Leg. Martin wound up ahead and managed to hold off Carlos Sainz for fifth, while Solberg came home seventh.

McRae and Sainz's double helping of points moves Ford into equal first position in the manufacturers' standings with Mitsubishi on 66 points, while Peugeot remain a distant third on 39.

The teams fly to New Zealand in a month's time where McRae scored his first WRC win in 1993. The Scot will be hoping to continue the Focus WRC's run of gravel form to further reel in four-time world champ Makinen.

For Rally Finland results, click here.

For full World Rally Championship standings, click here.