Mikko Hirvonen not only has his strong winning mentality to contend, but he also has his promises to keep. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi team driver had apparently made a promise to his Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson, saying that he would go into his home rally in Finland with the championship lead. And that is exactly what he did.
“I promised Malcolm I would lead the championship going into my home rally in Finland next month, and now I am!” said Hirvonen.
Hirvonen has a three point lead over Loeb after his win in Turkey. Hirvonen had struggled in other events in the 2008 season so far despite being extremely strong on the loose gravel stages in the past. The result in Turkey has come at the right time for Hirvonen and has given him a great confidence pump for the next half of the 2008 season.
“It was the right moment for a win because we struggled on the last round in Greece and this is perfect timing,” said Hirvonen. “It feels very special to beat a four-time world champion in a straight fight. Our tactics worked so well and I didn’t panic on Sunday morning when I was first on the road and had to sweep the stages.”
“This is my best result because it was such a big team effort,” added Hirvonen. “It looks like it will be an exciting championship battle in the second half of the season.”
Going into his home rally at Finland, Hirvonen will be looking to extend the lead over Sebastian Loeb but he knows too well that because Loeb has been beaten in a tough match-up, his hunger to win the next race will be more pronounced. With the rally due to start on the 1st of August, Hirvonen, and Loeb for that matter, will have a lot of time to look at the finer details of what has happened so far and look forward to the second half of the season with a renewed vigour.