Driver / co-driver: Juho Hanninen and Mikko Markkula (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo).



Press conference.


Q:
Congratulations Juho, winning the event on the final stage – what an event it has been for you!

Juho Hanninen:
Yes. Thank you. As you said, before the last stage I was second and Toshi [Arai] was behind me. I was happy with that situation. I kept Toshi behind in the last stage, but then when I'd finished I realised I had won after [Evgeny] Novikov had problems.

Q:
On Friday you weren't on the pace and finished the day ninth, what was the problem on the opening day?

JH:
Nothing special. Already on the recce I had decided to take the Friday stages carefully, they were difficult. But I was surprised how far away I was. I was confident on Saturday and Sunday, they were much better.

Q:
Did you change the car much?

JH:
I didn't change anything with the car. I decided before the rally, Saturday morning I will start (to push).

Q:
Just nine seconds covered the top three drivers; it was very competitive at the top of the leaderboard wasn't it?

JH:
It was tough for the whole weekend. Yes, nine seconds are very equal. We had some technical problems, but a very good battle with Toshi.

Q:
You take maximum points here which puts you ahead of Andreas Aigner in the Championship going into the final round – you don't need to win there, what will be the approach?

JH:
I don't know yet, I haven't thought so much. Of course Aigner's speed over there… I have been two times to GB and I like it very much. I need to push maximum.

Q:
It's been a good year…

JH:
Yes. We have won three times and then had a technical problem in Greece and my mistake in New Zealand, otherwise a good season.

Q:
Do you have anything sorted for next year?

JH:
No, no, no. We'll see. I hope after GB we will see.

Q:
Mikko, congratulations on the win. You finished and didn't realise you had won, what was your feeling when you found out?

Mikko Markkula:
I think your colleague was the first who told us what really happened. Of course, it's a great feeling. I expected second, this was a big bonus.

Q:
That's helped for the Championship.

MM:
Yes. Now it's two points easier in Wales.

Q:
What have you thought of the stages here in Sapporo?

MM:
This was one of the toughest, if not the toughest I have seen. I am more than happy to finish this rally. Like I said, this is a big bonus.