Gronholm will not push Hirvonen

Hirvonen dominated the first day of the event on Friday, but he was not able to continue extending his lead at the same rate on the second day of the rally.

The rally leader suggested that his teammate was trying to prove a point on his final rally before retirement, but Gronholm insists that he is not going to challenge for the win.

"It's been ok today, but we are just cruising around," said Gronholm. "I'm not going to fight Mikko for the win.

"If Sebastien (Loeb) goes off then second is enough for me to win the title, so there is no need to push Mikko."

Gronholm added that he will remain cautious until the end of the event, even if Loeb seems set to wrap up the title with his low-key run to third place.

"I have to stay here (second)," he said. "Sebastien has no problems so far, but it is not finished yet.

"I can't push, because if I make a mistake and go off, and after that Sebastien has a problem then I look stupid. This is just what we need to do."