Driver / co-driver: Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen (BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT), Dani Sordo and Marc Marti (Citroen Total WRT) and Henning Solberg and Cato Menkerud (Stobart VK M-Sport Ford RT).

Team principal: Malcolm Wilson (BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT).


Press conference.



Q:
Mikko, congratulations on your second win in a row, which puts you into the lead of the Drivers' Championship by one point – a good weekend all round?

Mikko Hirvonen:
This is the first time ever that I win two rallies in a row. Maybe I can make it three in Finland. It was a fantastic rally from start to finish. When Seb (Loeb) made a mistake it could easily have turned into one steady rally. Then Sordo was setting some amazing times on Saturday and we were flat-out all Saturday. It is fantastic to get it right and take the win.

Q:
Drama on the final stage with Jari-Matti (Latvala) though - what did you think when you saw his accident?

MH:
I still cannot believe it. It was definitely not something that you could expect. I do not know what to say. It came at a really bad time. We had a great position. There was no need to take risks and it happened at a bad time.

Q:
What did you think of Poland as an event and would you like to see it back on the Championship calendar?

MH:
I think it was a very good rally. It was the best one. There were lots of spectators and standing in good places. There were no problems with traffic and we had really enjoyable stages. Maybe some sections today were a little too fast and not so interesting. They had long straights and flat corners. Maybe they can make a difference in the future but, otherwise, it was a good rally.

Q:
After your retirement in Argentina you said the Drivers' Championship was over for you, now you lead going into your home event in Finland. It's game on, but can you take advantage of the situation and keep Loeb behind?

MH:
All is possible and it is all in my hands. If I have perfect rallies, then I get good results and I can fight for the title. It will be very difficult, but I will try as hard as I can.

Q:
Jarmo, congratulations. This has been a high-paced event – at one point Mikko said he wasn't listening to the pace notes as he was driving so fast. Did you have any concerns at all this weekend?

Jarmo Lehtinen:
I was concerned after he told me he wasn't listening! I have to admit this is one of the most difficult rallies I have done. Timing the pace notes is very difficult here. You are going so fast that you need to concentrate hard. You need to deliver the notes in correct time. It was very challenging and I was getting better all the time. This event has gone straight into the top three in my mind for all rallies.

Q:
Drama on the final stage with Jari-Matti - what was your feeling?

JL: