Thanks for the memories, Mikko
He wasn't (quite) world champion, but Mikko Hirvonen was a huge part of the World Rally Championship and his retirement leaves a void. DAVID EVANS shares some special memories
A blustery Sunday afternoon in Cardiff, 2009. Mikko Hirvonen's world must have caved in, but he was still smiling. He and Jarmo Lehtinen had missed becoming World Rally champions by one point.
One point.
Lehtinen is a big, second row-sized Finn and not a man known for emotion.
As Hirvonen fielded the inevitable questions about the one that got away, Lehtinen looked on. We chatted about the year and what a thoroughly decent fella Mikko is.
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