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Mikko Hirvonen won the Acropolis Rally of Greece last weekend to secure Ford's 70th world rally victory. The Finn won this seventh round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the toughest encounter in the 12-event series, by 1min 12.9sec in their Rally Cars. Second finisher was a relatively unranked driver Sebastien Ogier in a Citroen C4, while Hirvonen's Ford Rally Team team mate Jari-Matti Latvala was third. Hirvonen and Latvala results secured maximum points in the manufacturers' series for the Blue Oval.
Between them Hirvonen and Latvala led from start to finish of the three-day event to secure Ford's seventh win in 10 seasons in Greece. It was also the 40th world rally win for M-Sport, Ford's partner in the WRC and the British-based preparation company which runs the program. The result, the team's second consecutive victory following Latvala's success in Italy last month, rejuvenated its challenge in both championships. Ford is now just 15 points from the lead in the manufacturers' standings to Citroen and second-placed Hirvonen has closed the gap against Sebastian Loeb in the drivers' series to just seven points.
Rock-strewn and abrasive gravel roads west of Athens and blistering temperatures, which topped 36C, ensured this year's event lived up to its gruelling reputation. It was a rally of attrition and a long string of frontrunners fell by the wayside during the 15 speed tests covering 341.01km (two tests were cancelled). However, neither Ford cars missed a beat and both drivers looked after their cars and tyres superbly, mixing pace with caution in the tough conditions.
Latvala led from the start before falling to 11th when he slid into a ditch on the last special stage of the opening day (Friday). Hirvonen was promoted into top spot but was fearful of running first in the start order on the second day, sweeping the gravel from the road surface to offer cleaner and faster conditions to his pursuers. However, as others struggled, Hirvonen stretched his lead and Latvala charged back to third. Both drove at a measured pace on the short final leg to seal a memorable weekend.
"I drove a clever rally and my plan worked perfectly, with no mistakes and no punctures," said Hirvonen. "I knew that if we finished the rally without problems then we would be high in the order and that was the case. The key to success was to stay on the road and be cautious rather than drive flat out all the way. The car was amazing all weekend, especially the last stage which was so rough. I was fortunate to have such a large lead that I was able to drive steadily."
"We're back in the championship fight and the final five rallies of the year will be exciting. The next two events, in Poland and Finland, are on fast gravel roads which should suit me," he added.
Latvala admitted he was relieved to climb back onto the podium. "I thought I had lost everything on the first day. A place on the podium was never in my dreams but others made mistakes and their cars broke and that's exactly what I achieved. My strategy on the second day was to save the tyres, save the car and drive round the rocks and it paid off. This rally required respect and the result is so important for me and the team from the championship perspective," said the young Finn.
Abu Dhabi's Khalid Al Qassimi finished sixth in the team's third Ford rally car, a career best result for the Emirati driver.
[View Results & Standings]
The next WRC event has been scheduled for Rally Poland on 26 - 28 June.
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