Mikko Hirvonen calm ahead of crunch rally to decide Citroen future

The troubled Finn still has less points this year than his team-mate Sebastien Loeb, who has only started three of the seven rounds run so far.

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Hirvonen's contract with Citroen is up at the end of this season and team principal Yves Matton says he will consider driver options after Finland.

"Sometimes you have a period where nothing works and I'm still there," said Hirvonen.

"Now I concentrate on Finland where we can have a fresh start and forget the past. We can be in a good place there and go flat out."

He insisted he remained calm over his future.

"I am not confirmed for next year. I think it's the same for everybody," said Hirvonen.

"For me I feel I have really good pace. For sure, people are seeing things in different ways, but I know what is going on.

"I have made some mistakes and struggled with many things, but I am just going to carry on and concentrate on the next rallies."

While confirming he would take two frontline rather than pay-drivers next year, Matton would not be drawn on Hirvonen.

"It's a little bit too early to talk about Mikko's contract - the option is not up yet," he said.

"I will think in the summer and decide after Finland. But, I will have to think about the philosophy of my drivers for next year - it's not just about Mikko or not Mikko."