SS11: Solberg fastest as Hirvonen takes the lead
Hirvonen is the new leader as Ostberg drops to second
Mikko Hirvonen is the new leader of Rally Sweden after going faster than Mads Ostberg through stage 11.
The factory Ford driver is now 0.3s ahead of his Norwegian rival heading to the midday service halt in Hagfors.
“I’ve really pushed and the car is really, really good,” said Hirvonen after completing the 15.42-kilometre stage in his Fiesta RS WRC with the fifth quickest time.
Petter Solberg, who was fastest through the stage in his Citroen DS3 WRC, said: “It was so much fun. I hit the back tyre towards the end of the stage but I did not loose too much time. Everything is possible now.”
Sweden’s PG Andersson set the second fastest time to climb in to seventh in the overall standings.
Ford Fiesta pilot Jari-Matti Latvala was third fastest with Sebastien Ogier fourth quickest in his factory DS3 WRC.
Standings after SS11: