Mikko Hirvonen took the spoils on the Wales Rally GB this weekend despite a scare in the final stage when he almost got stuck in a ditch.

Mikko had led from the off and was around 30 seconds up on his BP Ford team-mate, Marcus Gronholm, until that moment in second run through the 28.24 kilometre-Trawscoed stage.

His error in SS17 cost him around 15 seconds, but he had enough in hand to still take the victory, his third of the season and the fourth of his career.

Speaking at the finish, he admitted that he never expected to secure a hat-trick of wins this year.

"To finish the season with a victory is the best possible preparation for 2008," he reflected.

"For me to stand on the podium with Sebastien Loeb, winner of four world titles, and Marcus Gronholm, one of the sport's greatest-ever drivers, at the end of such a fantastic season is perfect.

"It was Marcus' final rally but I wasn't tempted to give him the win. I know him well and he would not have wanted it that way.

"To finish the year with three wins is so much more than I thought at the start of the season."

Asked about the problems in the last test, Mikko added that it was a simple error: "I made things exciting on the final stage when I went off the road and nearly got stuck in a ditch," he continued.

"I hadn't planned it. It was such a stupid place to make a mistake. I went straight on and had to do a 360 degree spin turn in the forest.

"I'm glad we made it through the weekend though in really difficult conditions and I'm pleased for the team that we could end the season with a superb result like this.

"This season has been fantastic. This is the best possible way to go into 2008 and yes, I'm ready to be team leader. Next year is my chance," he concluded.