Mikko Hirvonen delayed on opening stage of Rally Finland
Ford's hopes of a much-needed victory on Rally Finland have taken a knock on the opening stage, with an engine problem leading to a trip off the road for Mikko Hirvonen
Hirvonen lost 37.9 seconds to fastest man Jari Ketomaa on the opening Lankamaa stage this evening. He continues in the event, with damage to the rear suspension and brakes on his Fiesta RS WRC.
"I turned into a left-hander and the engine just died," said Hirvonen. "I didn't have any drive at all, I lost the brakes and the steering and we hit the tree."
Hirvonen, who has not won a gravel round of the World Rally Championship since Rally Australia in 2009, had high hopes of repeating his home win of the same year. Now, however, he will lose more time on with just over 10 miles of competition remaining this evening.
Hirvonen's team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala is third after SS1, with Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb second and fourth in their Citroens.
Ketomaa is driving a Fiesta RS WRC as a one-off on his home round of the series and - along with Mini privateer Matti Rantanen had been tipped as a potential podium finisher. Rantanen is fastest of the Minis through, posting the sixth fastest time.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments