Drivers: Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen (
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT),
Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Antilla (BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT),
Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena (
Citroen Total WRT).
Team principal: Malcolm Wilson (BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT).
Press conference.
Q:
Congratulations on your second win of the season Mikko, you now lead the Drivers' Championship going into the second half of the season. A thrilling end to the event - pleased with the result?
Mikko Hirvonen:
It's a fantastic way to end the first half of the season. It's been a great effort from Ford. What can I say? I'm really pleased to lead the Championship.
Q:
A stall on the start line of the opening stage, but you didn't lose a huge amount of time despite the fact that you were sweeping the road. Was it a huge push on that stage?
MH:
It gave me a boost. I thought: “I'm not going to let that ruin my rally.” After that, I did a fantastic time.
Q:
That final stage was incredible; to see three drivers battling for the win, you won't forget that stage for a while…
MH:
We had a fantastic time for the short stage. I managed to take a little time out of Jari-Matti, but Sébastien did a good time as well. I wasn't 100 per cent confident. When we had the first split, 5 kilometres in, and Sébastien caught us by five seconds - I had to push. But then the tyres were going and on the last three kilometres I was so slow. I was sure Jari-Matti would be coming past me.
Q:
You are back in the lead of the Championship going into the summer break and will lead going into you home event in Finland for the first time - that will be special?
MH:
It's definitely going to be special. I can't wait to get to the second half and start again. Hopefully we can keep the consistency. That's the key for me, that's what we've been doing. We can fight for the win in Finland and we hope to do the same on tarmac.
