Mikko Hirvonen believes that wintry weather could work in his favour this weekend on the Rally Japan, the fourteenth round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.

The event, which is based in Obihiro, 900 kilometres north of Tokyo on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, is taking place later in the season than usual and this could affect road conditions.

Temperatures are likely to drop below freezing at night and with early morning starts to each leg, ice could be an unwanted visitor.

Mikko though isn't concerned, far from it in-fact and after seeing his run of top-five finishes come to an end in Corsica, will be eager to try and emulate the podium finish he achieved last year in Japan.

“I've heard temperatures might drop to -5ºC at night, with the possibility of snow and ice. If that's the case, being a Finn, those conditions would suit me,” he explained.

Asked about the event in more detail, the BP Ford number two driver added that cutting the corners is essential to set good times, not that it is possible to do it everywhere.

“There are places that are good for cutting corners but it's important to be careful of stones in the grass and the ditches,” he continued.

“I've heard that at this time of the year there isn't so much tall vegetation so it may be possible to see more of what is at the side of the road.

“The ditches can be right on the edge and even if you are just 10cm off line the car can slide into them. They are steep and there is no way out.

"Cutting belongs to rallying and if the corners are checked properly during the recce, a driver can put the car right off the road and save vital tenths of a second.

“I try to drive the recce to the maximum speed limits, but to understand where cuts can be made and where they can't, it's necessary to slow down and take a really good look at the edge of the road through the side window,” he summed-up.