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WRC Rally Deutschland: Mikko Hirvonen blames himself for poor pace

Mikko Hirvonen believes he will have to rethink his driving style to get on the pace in Germany

The Finn is only sixth after day one of Rally Deutschland, 48.9 seconds behind his rally-leading Citroen team-mate Sebastien Loeb.

Hirvonen has lacked confidence in his DS3 WRC, despite running the car in the same specification as Loeb.

"This morning the car was really the same as his," said Hirvonen, "so we know the car is fast - it's just this driver who is slow!"

The Citroen team softened the suspension set-up beneath Hirvonen for the afternoon's repeated three stages, but the result was the same as he dropped more time on the first of the loop. Hirvonen admitted he changed his approach on stages five and six and felt an immediate improvement.

"It's the same as Monte Carlo this year," he said. "I am pushing too hard and overdriving the car.

"Basically, when you are in the corner, you don't need to go anywhere near the throttle. I need to just let the car do the work in the corner - because it can.

"I know that this is what I have to do, now I've just to make sure I do it tomorrow. Changing the car didn't really make so much difference, it's in my head."

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