Subaru happy with Hirvonen

The 23-year-old, who has stepped up to the works Subaru team for this year, ran as high as high as fourth in the new Impreza WRC2004, before losing the position to his more experienced team-mate, Petter Solberg, on the final day.

"I'm very pleased with Mikko's performance," said team boss David Lapworth. "He's achieved everything we've asked of him, gained a lot of valuable experience of the car and the tyres and has done a very professional job."

Hirvonen has admitted, however, that he played it cool on Rally Mexico - his first gravel rally with the team - and that there is more pace to come as he gains further experience in the car.

"I'm really happy with the result," he said. "I think I could have got a better result had I been pushing, but that's not what this one was all about for me. I've learnt quite a lot about the new car and the Pirelli's on gravel. I'm particularly pleased that I made no real driving mistakes.

"I still have lots to learn on the slow and twisty sections, but sometimes they went well so I know I can do it. I'm just going to be working on my consistency now."