Hirvonen explains crash error

The Ford driver started leg two just 4.5 seconds behind rally leader Petter Solberg. Prior to the opening stage Hirvonen told autosport.com that running second actually made him feel less pressure, as he was proving that he had the ability to fight at the front. But while pushing hard to catch Solberg, he went off the road 1.7 kilometres into the El Zauco 1 stage.

"I thought I would attack a bit more today," said Hirvonen. "But I came over a crest and the car lifted a bit. As I landed a rear wheel hit the bank and the impact rolled us across the road and down into a deep ditch.

"I didn't have it marked as a jump in my pace notes and I simply came too fast over the crest."

Hirvonen's Ford was eventually retrieved from the ditch and repaired ready to restart leg three under SupeRally rules. He will start today in 17th place.