BF Goodrich have good progress, says Hirvonen.

BP Ford number two driver, Mikko Hirvonen has praised the efforts of BF Goodrich after they made further progress with their tyres ahead of this weekend's event in Sardinia.

The Finn, who was out testing them recently during Ford's six-day test for the Rally d'Italia Sardegna, added that they are 'faster in every area'.

"The tyres will be important [this weekend]," predicted Mikko. "I think it's going to be hot and the heat and hard roads mean that endurance will be vital. We have some new tyres available which will be good. It's not easy for BFGoodrich to improve its tyres because they are already very good, but I was pleased with these during the tests. They seem faster in every area."

Hirvonen meanwhile surprised many in Sardinia last year by taking the challenge to world champion Sebastien Loeb in a privately-entered Focus RS on the opening leg - which he ended in third. Although he went off on day two and retired he is hopeful he can re-produce that form again this time out, especially as he will again benefit from running lower down the order and won't lose time sweeping away the loose gravel.

"Last year was good for me until I made a mistake on the second day," added the 25-year-old. "I had a good start position which meant the roads had been cleaned of gravel by the time I started the stages.

"I have a good start position again this year and I hope this will give me an advantage on the opening morning. I prefer the wider roads because when it's narrow and there are bushes and rocks close to the edge of the road, it's difficult to make pace notes. The temptation is to put as much as possible into the notes but then I find that there is too much in there."