Hirvonen : my title dream is over

Mikko Hirvonen’s bid to win his first World Rally Championship title is over after he was forced to stop on the road section heading back to service in Builth Wells.

The Finn damaged the radiator on his Ford Fiesta RS WRC striking a submerged branch on the Dyfnant stage. He tried to return to service in Builth Wells, a journey of more than 100 kilometres, but failed to get beyond the town of Newtown.

He told WRC.com: “It was very tricky in the morning and the grip level was changing quite a lot. On one braking [point] it was very slippery and I was too fast into the next corner. There was a big slide and the rear touched the bank. I spun and it pulled the front of the car into a bank where there was a tree stump. The wood came through the radiator. There was no real damage but we lost all the water in the engine. We carried on for five-six kilometres but that was it.”

Hirvonen had just taken the lead of the event and said he felt confident he could hold on for victory.

“I felt really good. There were some slippery places but I was still able to push, although maybe not much more. It’s a hard rally and you can always have moments like that.”

Of his title chances, the Finn added: “Like you said it’s over for sure. I have to thank the team for a really good effort and all the help. Unfortunately we have to look to the future and see what we can do in the future.”

Ford Abu Dhabi team principal Malcolm Wilson said: “It’s devastating to go out in an incredible battle with Sebastien Loeb. We will try to fix the car but it does look like there’s too much damage to the engine. I believe the damage is already done, but our main priority is to get him back here and out again tomorrow. It’s a huge disappointment for the whole team after getting back into the championship fight again and then sadly losing it on the first day of the event.”