BP Ford Abu Dhabi's
Mikko Hirvonen has predicted that it could be just as close on the Rally d'Italia Sardegna this coming weekend as it was on the last round in Jordan.
Mikko's first win of the season in Jordan took him back to the top of the drivers' championship with a five point lead and the result also helped Ford extend its cushion in the manufacturers' series to seven points.
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!
"The stages are narrow but fast and although there are rough sections, it's by no means the roughest rally of the season.
"It's the first hot gravel rally in Europe but we have good knowledge of how Pirelli's tyres work in those conditions from Mexico and Jordan. The roads are probably rougher than either of those events but they're not too harsh on tyres and I have no concerns about that."
