The 2010 World Rally Championship season got off to a good start for the Ford World Rally Team as Mikko Hirvonen took his first ever win at Rally Sweden, 42 seconds ahead of current champion Sébastien Loeb, who placed second. Jari-Matti Latvala, Hirvonen's teammate, took third.
Loeb initially led the event until the fifth special stage, but fell behind Hirvonen as a poor tyre choice saw the Frenchman lose crucial seconds to the Finn, whose lead increased steadily.
"After losing the title last year by a point I knew I had to win more, rather than settle for consistent points finishes, so this is the ideal start. It was a big win for us and I want many more this season. It's the first time I've won the opening round of the year. I tried to be more aggressive from the start in all aspects of my performance," said Hirvonen.
After unsuccessful attempts to make any significant ground on his rival on Sunday morning, Loëb played it safe to ensure second and maximum points.
"As I've always said, I start each rally with victory as my aim. But if I feel that winning isn't within my grasp, I prefer to bag the maximum number of points rather than risk an accident. "I didn't reckon I was the favourite for this event and I found myself up against a rival who drove a perfect rally. It's good to start the season with a large haul of points and I'm looking forward to Mexico to get my revenge," said Loeb.
Latvala, a former winner at Sweden started in fourth, but moved up to the final podium spot as Loeb's teammate Dani Sordo had to stop momentarily during the event. Known for taking unnecessary risks, 24-year old Latvala put in a mature drive to scoop third.
"I did what I was asked by keeping my consistency and it's a great start for the team. It wasn't an easy rally because I struggled for speed on Friday. I was frustrated because I was thinking too much about driving carefully but I got over that yesterday, started to relax and my times improved," said Latvala.
Sordo went on to take fourth, too far behind to challenge for a podium finish, with Sebastien Ogier in fifth for the Citroen Junior Team and Matthew Wilson in sixth for Stobart M-Sport. WRC legend Markus Gronholm came out of retirement for the event, but electrical gremlins slowed him down and in the end the former World Champion could only manage 20th overall for Stobart.
Formula One ace Kimi Räikkönen managed 30th overall for the Citroen Junior Team.
"It was important for our experience to finish this first rally of our WRC season. We always knew that Sweden was never going to be an easy rally for us to start the season with. But now we are able to prepare for the next event. I haven't driven the Citroen C4 WRC on gravel yet, but I hope that we can be more consistent in Mexico." commented the former F1 World champion.
The WRC circus now heads on to North America for the Corona Rally Mexico, taking place from 5th to 7th March.
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