28 t/m 30 mei 2010 WRC Rally Portugal

Einduitslag na dag 3:

Hirvonen takes a fighting fourth in Portugal after tense final day:

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished fourth in Rally de Portugal today after a thrilling three-car battle for the final podium place. After three days of flat-out driving in the hills above the Algarve coastline, the fight for third in this sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship was only decided on the final 2km speed test inside Faro's soccer stadium this afternoon.

The Finns had settled for fifth in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car heading into the test, which featured two cars at-a-time racing around a purpose-built track and was broadcast live on Portuguese television. However, when fourth-placed Petter Solberg went off the road in the previous heat and lost 15 seconds, 29-year-old Hirvonen measured his pace in the following duel and climbed to fourth after 18 stages covering 355.32km.

This rally was played out in high temperatures over demanding gravel roads near the holiday resort of Faro. The heat and the abrasive bedrock, which forms the base of the roads in this area, made it a tough challenge for tyres. Drivers had to skilfully manage tyre wear on their Pirelli Scorpion rubber to ensure they retained as much grip as possible towards the end of the long loops of special stages.
Hirvonen ended Friday's opening leg in fourth but ceded a position on the leaderboard during yesterday's longest day of the rally. The 29-year-old began the final leg this morning as one of three cars chasing the final step on the podium, with less than 22sec covering the trio.

He slashed that gap to less than eight seconds on the opening speed test and the trio began the final country stage covered by just 7.4sec. However, Hirvonen's attacking driving took its toll on his tyres and he realised halfway through that he could not close the gap further. He eased his pace and settled for fifth before the excitement inside the stadium.

"What an amazing end to the rally," he said. "After all the drama on the final stage during the last round in New Zealand, I can't believe that it has happened again here. I couldn't have driven any faster this morning. I gave everything to try to catch the two guys ahead but my rear tyres lost their grip and midway through the stage I called off the attack. I knew I couldn't reach them. It was a difficult rally. I didn't have the pace this weekend to challenge for the win and the rally was tough on tyres.

"I tried a different approach this weekend. I was less aggressive, letting my driving flow rather than pushing too much. I thought my driving was good and the car handled well, but the times weren't fast enough. The result wasn't good from a championship point of view but we've done six rallies and there are seven more to come so there's still everything to fight for," added Hirvonen.

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were unable to restart under SupeRally rules this morning following yesterday's accident, in which they hit a tree at 110kph. The rear of their Ford Focus RS WRC was too badly damaged to repair.

Abu Dhabi's Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr finished ninth in the team's third car.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson reflected on a 'disappointing' weekend for the team. "What happened on the final stage proved once again how this sport delivers incredible drama. It also shows that the small, spectator-friendly tests can be just as important as the longer stages out in the country. After a great win in New Zealand earlier this month, this didn't go the way we planned but we have to accept that."

Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe's motorsport chief, said: "We can't escape the fact that we didn't enjoy as good a weekend as we had hoped. We now have six weeks before the season restarts and we'll use that time to work as hard as we can to try to regain the form that has already brought the team two victories this season," he said.

News from other Ford teams

Stobart M-Sport Ford drivers Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin finished sixth in a Focus RS World Rally Car, climbing a place after team-mates Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor retired with alternator failure on the second stage this morning. Munchi's Ford drivers Federico Villagra and Jorge Perez Companc won their battle for eighth place with Al Qassimi after starting the day tied on time. In the S-WRC support series the Ford Fiesta S2000 claimed first and second places. Jari Ketomaa and Mika Stenberg beat Spain's Xevi Pons and Alex Haro by more than 3min 30sec. Pons retains the series lead.

Next round

After a summer break, the championship restarts with Rally Bulgaria's debut appearance in the WRC. The all-asphalt rally is based in the ski resort of Borovets on 8 -11 July.

Final positions

1. S Ogier/J Ingrassia FRA Citroen C4 3hr 51min 16.1sec
2. S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen C4 3hr 51min 24.0sec
3. D Sordo/M Marti ESP Citroen C4 3hr 52min 33.7sec
4. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS 3hr 52min 48.1sec
5. P Solberg/P Mills NOR Citroen C4 3hr 52min 51.8sec
6. M Wilson/S Martin GBR Ford Focus RS 3hr 58min 26.2sec
7. M Østberg/J Andersson NOR Subaru Impreza 3hr 58min 44.4sec
8. F Villagra/J Perez Companc ARG Ford Focus RS 4hr 01min 52.2sec
9. K Al Qassimi/M Orr UAE Ford Focus RS 4hr 02min 11.9sec
10 K Räikkönen/K Lindström FIN Citroen C4 4hr 02min 50.4sec

Drivers

1. S Loeb 126pts
2. S Ogier 88pts
3. M Hirvonen 76pts
4. J-M Latvala 72pts
5. P Solberg 63pts
6. D Sordo 49pts

Manufacturers

1. Citroen Total 189pts
2. BP Ford Abu Dhabi 163pts
3. Citroen Junior 106pts
4. Stobart M-Sport Ford 84pts
5. Munchi's Ford 40pts

Bron | M-Sport

Uitslag na dag 2:

Hirvonen remains optimistic as Portugal poses tough challenge
BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen ended today's second leg of Rally de Portugal in fifth position after another tough day's competition. The Finns have not ruled themselves out of a podium finish in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car with a final demanding day's action in the Algarve hills remaining. Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila retired this morning after crashing into a tree, the damage preventing them from continuing.

The second day of this sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship returned to the Serra do Caldeirão hills, north of the holiday resort of Faro. Drivers tackled two identical loops of three sun-kissed gravel speed tests covering 135.10km. High temperatures and hard, rock-based roads again made tyre wear a key consideration, and drivers had to temper their natural attacking instincts to ensure the rubber provided sufficient grip at the end of each loop.

Hirvonen restarted in fourth but lost a position on the second special stage this morning to complete the opening loop in fifth, 10.6sec behind his closest rival. Tyre preservation was on the 29-year-old Finn's mind throughout the afternoon as temperatures rose and the surface bedrock became more exposed. However, he did a good job of managing tyre wear and was able to attack hard through the final stage, setting third fastest time. He lies just 8.2sec behind fourth-placed Dani Sordo and 21.7sec from Petter Solberg in third.
"I felt I drove really well, but I didn't make the progress I hoped this morning," admitted Hirvonen. "The second stage was confusing. My performance wasn't consistent and the car slid around in the second part of the stage on the wider and faster sections. Perhaps taking two spare tyres was too cautious. It added an extra 25kg to the weight of the car and when the car slid sideways, it slipped more because of the extra weight in the rear.

"I tried hard to save my tyres on the first two stages this afternoon and that decision paid me back on the final test because I was able to attack. I have plenty to fight for tomorrow. A podium is possible, but there are quite a few of us who want that. There are only two stages in each loop and the early start means temperatures will be cooler, so we won't have to worry as much about managing our tyres," he added.

Latvala and Anttila were second fastest through the opening stage in their Focus RS WRC to retain their overnight sixth position. However, the Finns' day ended just 400 metres into the next test. "The third bend on the stage was flat out and led into a right corner," explained 25-year-old Latvala. "I was a little late turning into the second corner and hit a bank. The car started to spin and hit a tree about 40 metres from the road. The rear of the car took the impact and was too badly damaged to continue. I knew as soon as I hit the tree that the day was over.

"It has been a difficult rally for me. After a bad opening stage yesterday, I found a good rhythm and I was quite happy. This morning my target was to climb the leaderboard and I made a good start on the opening stage. But now I've lost manufacturers' points for the team and I'm disappointed," he added. It is hoped he can restart under SupeRally rules tomorrow.

Team-mates Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr are tied in 10th place in the team's other Focus RS WRC. "We were better than yesterday, but I had some problems with the brakes. I enjoyed this afternoon and am positive about tomorrow's stages. We will make some small changes and start to push a bit harder," said Al Qassimi.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson said: "A podium is still possible for Mikko and, from a championship perspective, we really need that. Jari-Matti was doing a good job but he made a mistake and he needs to learn from that. I hope he will be back out tomorrow gaining some more valuable experience."

News from other Ford teams

Stobart M-Sport Ford hold sixth and seventh with the Focus RS WRCs of Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor and team-mates Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin. Solberg had fuel pump troubles this morning while Wilson overcame brake difficulties on the opening loop. Munchi's Ford drivers Federico Villagra and Jorge Perez Companc are tied in 10th with Al Qassimi. Monster World Rally Team duo Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino were unable to restart this morning due to accident damage after yesterday's roll. In the S-WRC support class, the Ford Fiesta S2000 continues to hold first and second. Jari Ketomaa and Mika Stenberg lead championship leaders Xevi Pons and Alex Haro by more than three minutes.

Tomorrow’s Route

The final leg is the shortest of the rally and is again based in the Serra do Caldeirão hills. After restarting at 05.50, drivers face two identical loops of two speed tests, split by a return to the Algarve Stadium service park. After a short final service, drivers tackle a repeat of Thursday evening's super special stage inside the stadium. The day's competitive distance totals 89.61km and the finish ceremony takes place in the stadium immediately after the final stage.

Leaderboard after Day 2

1. S Ogier/J Ingrassia FRA Citroen C4 2hr 50min 48.1sec
2. S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen C4 2hr 51min 09.2sec
3. P Solberg/P Mills NOR Citroen C4 2hr 51min 40.3sec
4. D Sordo/M Marti ESP Citroen C4 2hr 51min 53.8sec
5. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS 2hr 52min 02.0sec
6. H Solberg/I Minor NOR Ford Focus RS 2hr 53min 50.9sec
7. M Wilson/S Martin GBR Ford Focus RS 2hr 55min 29.9sec
8. M Østberg/J Andersson NOR Subaru Impreza 2hr 56min 24.8sec
9. K Räikkönen/K Lindström FIN Citroen C4 2hr 58min 17.8sec
10= F Villagra/J Perez Companc ARG Ford Focus RS 2hr 58min 43.2sec
10= K Al Qassimi/M Orr UAE Ford Focus RS 2hr 58min 43.2sec

Bron | M-Sport

Uitslag na dag 1:

Portugal's roads provide tough times for Ford's WRC duo.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team are well-positioned after today's demanding opening leg of Rally de Portugal. Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen lie fourth in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car with team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila in sixth, after a day in which the abrasive roads in the hills above the Algarve region forced drivers to concentrate hard on managing tyre wear.

The good news for Ford's Finnish duo was that temperatures were lower than expected, putting less of a strain on Pirelli's Scorpion rubber. However, while the bedrock which forms the base of the roads offered excellent grip, it was also highly abrasive and drivers had to treat their tyres carefully to ensure the tread remained intact through the long competitive sections.

This sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship began last night when Hirvonen powered into an early lead through a short, but spectacular, speed test in front of more than 20,000 fans inside Faro's soccer stadium - the base for the rally. This morning the action moved into the traditional countryside special stages north of the town. Drivers tackled two identical loops of three speed tests before switching off their engines for the day after 130.61km of competition.

Latvala and Hirvonen were second and third respectively in the start order. It meant they were disadvantaged by the loose gravel on the surface, which the early starters unwillingly swept clean to leave a faster line for those behind. Hirvonen ended the morning loop in third and ceded a place this afternoon to return to Faro 46.9sec from the lead, and pleased to have a better road position tomorrow.

"I was happy with the car's handling and my driving, and testing on Monday so close to the rally helped me," said the 29-year-old. "I was in no rush to catch the guys ahead because I knew third or fourth tonight would give me a good position in the start order tomorrow. I struggled with my tyres on the final two stages and I expect that tomorrow's roads could be even harder for them. Conditions this morning were OK, but the roads were really abrasive this afternoon and it was tough on the tyres.

"I believe I can fight for a top position. We'll know more after the first stage in the morning, because we'll know exactly how much the conditions will disadvantage the cars at the front throughout the rest of the day," added Hirvonen.

Latvala, winner of the previous round in New Zealand, was returning to the rally in which he had a massive crash last year. The 25-year-old believes that may have been on his mind this morning as he settled into sixth, a position he retained throughout the day.
"I was too cautious on the opening stage this morning," admitted Latvala. "I was afraid of tyre wear on the hard roads and maybe last year's accident was at the back of my mind as well. I wasn't scared, but just not so confident. I carried two spare wheels but it was cloudy and cooler than we expected on the stages so there were no tyre wear concerns. Last year I attacked hard from the start here but that's not my job this year, and I started to find my confidence on the last stage of the loop.

"This afternoon was harder for the rubber and I lost the tread on my rear tyres on the final stage. I knew it was going to happen before the start of the test so I eased my pace. I'm hard and aggressive on tyres and I think tomorrow will be even more difficult so I need to find a calmer rhythm. Perhaps I need to be gentler in my braking because I want to move up the leaderboard and I can't do that if I damage my tyres," he added.

Abu Dhabi's Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr are 12th in the team's third car. Al Qassimi, returning to the series for the first time since February's opening round in Sweden, took time to shake off the rust. "The road conditions were fast and hard and this morning it was tricky to find a rhythm, which is vital if I am to build up my confidence. I was happier with the afternoon, although we grazed the side of a house at one point, and I'll try to keep the same pace tomorrow," said Al Qassimi.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson said: "The important thing tonight was to ensure our drivers were in a good start position for tomorrow, which will be the toughest leg of the rally. We achieved that, in conditions that were also very hard, and I'm looking forward to the advantage of road position resting with us. Both cars ran faultlessly and that's equally important in an event where attrition could play a big part in the final outcome."

News from other Ford teams

Stobart M-Sport Ford drivers Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor hold seventh, despite steering issues, one place ahead of team-mates Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin. Monster World Rally Team duo Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino rolled into retirement on the final stage this morning. They hope to return under SupeRally rules tomorrow. The Ford Fiesta S2000 lies first and second in the S-WRC support category. Finns Jari Ketomaa and Mika Stenberg lead Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini by 23.2sec.

Tomorrow’s Route
The second leg is based further east but remains in the Serra do Caldeirão hills, north of Faro. After restarting at 08.10, drivers tackle two loops of three stages which are split by a return to Faro for service. They return to the town for the final overnight halt at 17.45 after 135.10km of competition, the longest day of the rally.

Leaderboard after Day 1
1. S Ogier/J Ingrassia FRA Citroen C4 1hr 20min 34.4sec
2. D Sordo/M Marti ESP Citroen C4 1hr 21min 01.0sec
3. S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen C4 1hr 21min 19.2sec
4. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS 1hr 21min 21.3sec
5. P Solberg/P Mills NOR Citroen C4 1hr 21min 24.3sec
6. J-M Latvala/M Anttila FIN Ford Focus RS 1hr 21min 37.2sec
7. H Solberg/I Minor NOR Ford Focus RS 1hr 21min 55.1sec
8. M Wilson/S Martin GBR Ford Focus RS 1hr 22min 29.0sec
9. M Østberg/J Andersson NOR Subaru Impreza 1hr 23min 11.7sec
10 K Räikkönen/K Lindström FIN Citroen C4 1hr 23min 52.5sec

Bron | M-Sport

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