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Hirvonen secures manufacturers' title for Ford

November 18, 2007

Mikko Hirvonen controlled his pace and concentrated on securing Ford its second consecutive manufacturers' title. Hirvonen ended up in fourth place, which secured for Ford a 21-point lead before the Wales Rally GB, which ends this year's season. Citroën can no longer close the gap, which means that Ford has already won the title.

"It feels great, though I don't suppose it looked very nice when I slowed down and competed for the fourth place, just to be on the safe side," Hirvonen says.

Hirvonen's goal in the Irish rally was originally to secure for Ford the necessary points for the manufacturers' title, but he also hoped to be able to support Marcus Grönholm's championship battle by competing with the Citroën duo of Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Sordo. When Grönholm retired after a crash, the situation changed.

"The manufacturers' title is the number one goal for Ford for the entire season, so we could not endanger it. At the finishing line the entire team celebrated the title, which felt awesome," Hirvonen says.

For Hirvonen, the manufacturers' title also means that he won't have to hold back in the Wales Rally starting on 30 November.

"It's full throttle now in Ireland. Marcus doesn't have the best possible starting position for that competition, but I must try to help him by beating as many of the other drivers as possible," Hirvonen says.

Grönholm starts the Welsh rally from the second place in the championship standings, six points behind Sebastien Loeb, who took over first place after winning in Ireland. Even if Grönholm wins in Wales, fifth place would be enough for Loeb to win the title.