Hirvonen Not Feeling Title Pressure

Mikko Hirvonen

Surely Mikko Hirvonen was not hopeful of holding the championship lead with 4 rounds to go in the 2009 World Rally Championship season. After Loeb had won 5 events in a row in the first part of the season, everybody thought all the Finnish driver could do was make sure he would secure the runner-up spot for the second year running.

However, three disappointing outings from the Citroen champion in the last 3 events have turned the table in the drivers' classification, as the Ford driver recuperated no less than 20 points to Loeb and currently leads the Frenchman by a single point prior to his home event in Finland. Heading to his native country as a favorite for the overall win, Hirvonen insisted, earlier this week, that he can handle the pressure.

“I felt the pressure there last year and I think that's maybe what cost me the win. This time I think I've been around long enough to work my way around it. Now I just try to think of Rally Finland as any other part of the championship. I'm not thinking it's my home rally and I have to win it. I have to think of the drivers' title as well,” said Hirvonen in an interview with WRC.com.

Hirvonen has never won the Finnish event in the WRC so far, having highlighted back-to-back runner-up spots in 2007 and 2008 (to teammate Marcus Gronholm and Sebastien Loeb respectively). While hoping he will continue his strong run on home soil, the Ford driver admitted crashing out would end the title race for good.

“If I can step up the speed just a little bit from last year then I'm sure we can be close,” said Hirvonen, who finished last year's event only 9 seconds behind his Citroen rival.

“The most stupid thing I could do is make a mistake and come away with zero points. Okay, that could happen, but if so then for sure the championship fight is over. That would be a shame because it's only just started again and I want to keep it alive,” added the Fin.

Rally Finland is scheduled three weekends from now, between July 31 and August 2.