Mikko’s first win of the season in Jordan took him back to the top of the drivers’ championship and while Hirvonen will have to run first on the road in Olbia on day one, the Finn doesn’t think it will hamper his charge too much.
"I'm first in the start order on Friday because I lead the championship," the 27-year-old explained. "That's never the best place on a dry gravel rally because the first car cleans the loose stones and those behind have a better driving line.
"But it's not usually a big disadvantage in Sardinia and I'm not going to worry about that.
"My focus is finding the right speed on Friday morning because I can't afford to let any driver break clear. At the end of the first day in Jordan four cars were covered by less than 15 seconds. It could be just as close in Sardinia and I need to be in that group."
Hirvonen finished second in Sardinia both in 2006 and 2007 and so he is keen to go one better this Sunday.
"I’d like to repeat my successful outcome at the Rally of Jordon," he added. "Rally d’Italia Sardegna is one of my favourite rallies and after finishing in second place last year, this year I want to win and be on the top of the podium!"
Jari-Matti Latvala meanwhile is hoping he will have a better balance this time out. Jari had to settle for a seventh place finish in Jordan after he hit a rock on the final day and damaged his left rear suspension - losing him around ten minutes.
Despite being in contention for the win until that incident though, he still wasn't totally happy with the set-up on his Focus RS WRC07 and he was looking to tweak it ahead of this event.
"My final position on the last round in Jordan was disappointing after challenging for the win for most of the event, but I came away with more positives than negatives. I was happy with my speed and I plan to work on the car's set-up during the pre-event test," he noted.
"I was a little too sideways in Jordan and I want to find a better balance with the car on these tyres."
STOP PRESS: Crash.net spoke exclusively to Mikko Hirvonen ahead of the Rally d’Italia. To hear the interview in full: CLICK HERE
Subaru WRT:
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Petter Solberg, car #5 and
Chris Atkinson, car #6]
Petter making no predictions; Atkinson not thinking about podium.
Petter Solberg will want to stop the 'rot' this weekend in Sardinia and put an end to his recent run of misfortune that has dogged him on the last three rounds in Mexico, Argentina and Jordan.
