Hänninen sensed Azores excitement

Juho Hänninen says the dramatic closing stages of Sata Rallye Açores were just as exciting for him as they were for the thousands of spectators who lined the route of the gravel event.

Despite losing out on his third win of the season when he stopped to change a punctured front-right tyre on the penultimate stage, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge leader said he could appreciate the sense of sheer excitement felt by the fans on the Atlantic archipelago as the lead changed three times on the final two stages.

“It was very disappointing what happened to me but at least it was interesting from the outside,” said the Škoda Motorsport driver, who eventually finished third behind winner Bruno Magalhães and runner-up Kris Meeke.

Even though he was denied victory in the Azores, Hänninen was able to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings to nine points over team-mate Jan Kopecký when the Czech driver crashed out nearing the finish of the final stage.

“Something good and something bad came out of this rally you could say,” the Finn added.