Q & A with Mikko Hirvonen

Q. It must be a dream come true to go to the Myhinpaa stage tomorrow with a half-minute lead over Sebastien Loeb?

Mikko Hirvonen: Yeah, it's kind of like that, actually. I'm glad we have a good lead. It means we can go to the stage and adjust the notes a little bit first time through.

Q. Have you been driving to the split times all day today?

MH: Yes, pretty much. We've always been having the times coming to the car and it's been really nice seeing 'Loeb minus one' or 'Loeb minus two.' I like it when the split times say this.

Q. What's made the difference this year, do you think?

MH: I have another year of experience. And I have come here to my home rally on the back of two wins, that gives you more confidence. As well as that, the team have made some big changes with the car. Okay, not big changes with the car, but changes to the differential and the suspension. Of course, they're not new parts, but we have some new settings which have really helped the car. We made the changes in Greece and Poland and we can really see they've helped.

Q. Has Sebastien talked to you much today?

MH: Not so much. When he had his problem with the tyre then he stopped and we chatted about that. Normally when we get to the start of the stage - or before the start of the stage - we stop in the same place, but he didn't do that today. Today he didn't stop near to us.

Q. Any moments today?

MH: A couple of times we've had the back of the car in the ditch and the front wheel in the air, but no moments.

Q. Doesn't that count as a moment then?

MH: No, not really. That kind of thing happens a lot of the time on rallies.

Q. How do you feel about tomorrow?

MH: Well, we have a good lead. Let's see what happens. We will carry on like we are, nothing silly and hopefully no trouble.

Q. Do you dare think about tomorrow afternoon?

MH: Sure, I am thinking about it and it would be nice if it happens, but still, anything can happen. He [Loeb] is still right behind us. I just hope we get through with no problems.