From wrc.com
Spain is set for a World Rally Championship thriller this week with two of the three title protagonists, Mikko Hirvonen and Sebastien Loeb, promising to go on maximum attack in their pursuit of WRC glory.
Mikko Hirvonen, who pilots a factory Ford Fiesta, and seven-time world champion Sebastien Loeb, who will line-up in a Citroen DS3, are tied at the top of the drivers’ standings on 196 points with two events remaining.
"Every corner will need to be driven at maximum speed because the only way to win the championship is by trying to win the last two rallies," said Finn Hirvonen. "It will be all-or-nothing, with plenty of risk taking because none of us can afford to play it safe anymore. I must do well in Spain to take the fight all the way to the final round on gravel in Britain. I believe we can do that."
Sebastien Loeb, from France, hasn’t been beaten in Spain since 2005. He faces the potential handicap of running at the head of the field through Friday’s mainly gravel-based stages where he could lose time creating a clean line for his rivals behind.
"If the weather’s dry, it’s never good being first out on the road," said Loeb. "I run the risk of finding myself well behind on Friday evening. But on Tarmac on [days two and three] those in front won’t be handicapped. For me the strategy is very simple - flat out from start to finish."
Mikko Hirvonen is fully aware that Friday’s stages will give hand him a huge opportunity to pull clear of his title rival: "I will have a small advantage over Loeb in terms of road position on the first day, so Friday is going to be a big opportunity for me, and I need to ensure I make the most of that," he said.
Loeb’s Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier is also in contention for the title but is under orders to support his illustrious countryman.
Spain is set for a World Rally Championship thriller this week with two of the three title protagonists, Mikko Hirvonen and Sebastien Loeb, promising to go on maximum attack in their pursuit of WRC glory.
Mikko Hirvonen, who pilots a factory Ford Fiesta, and seven-time world champion Sebastien Loeb, who will line-up in a Citroen DS3, are tied at the top of the drivers’ standings on 196 points with two events remaining.
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| Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) and Mikko Hirvonen (Ford). (Photo: WRC) |
"Every corner will need to be driven at maximum speed because the only way to win the championship is by trying to win the last two rallies," said Finn Hirvonen. "It will be all-or-nothing, with plenty of risk taking because none of us can afford to play it safe anymore. I must do well in Spain to take the fight all the way to the final round on gravel in Britain. I believe we can do that."
Sebastien Loeb, from France, hasn’t been beaten in Spain since 2005. He faces the potential handicap of running at the head of the field through Friday’s mainly gravel-based stages where he could lose time creating a clean line for his rivals behind.
"If the weather’s dry, it’s never good being first out on the road," said Loeb. "I run the risk of finding myself well behind on Friday evening. But on Tarmac on [days two and three] those in front won’t be handicapped. For me the strategy is very simple - flat out from start to finish."
Mikko Hirvonen is fully aware that Friday’s stages will give hand him a huge opportunity to pull clear of his title rival: "I will have a small advantage over Loeb in terms of road position on the first day, so Friday is going to be a big opportunity for me, and I need to ensure I make the most of that," he said.
Loeb’s Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier is also in contention for the title but is under orders to support his illustrious countryman.