Miami GP || May 5 || 16h00 (Local time)

SS21: Hirvonen strenghtens his grip on 4th

As Loeb edges closer to victory

By Franck Drui

30 July 2011 - 16:52

Mikko Hirvonen has all but secured fourth position on Neste Oil Rally Finland after winning the penultimate stage of the world championship qualifier in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Out front Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb will take a lead of 8.4s over Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala into the final test, the 4.19-kilometre Power Stage.

Mads Ostberg, who was fourth quickest in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta, reported damage to his car’s left-rear upright after completing the stage.

Crews are now heading to a regroup in Laajavuori. The Power Stage, which will be shown live on television throughout the world, is due to get underway at 19:11hrs local time.

Pos.	Driver	Car	Time
01	S. LOEB / D. ELENA	Citroën DS3 WRC	2h36m56.8s
02	J. LATVALA / M. ANTTILA	Ford Fiesta RS WRC	+8.4s
03	S. OGIER / J. INGRASSIA	Citroën DS3 WRC	+12.8s
04	M. HIRVONEN / J. LEHTINEN	Ford Fiesta RS WRC	+1m09.7s
05	P. SOLBERG / C. PATTERSSON	Citroën DS3 WRC	+1m15.9s
06	M. ØSTBERG / J. ANDERSSON	Ford Fiesta RS WRC	+1m25.5s
07	H. SOLBERG / I. MINOR	Ford Fiesta RS WRC	+3m25.3s
08	M. WILSON / S. MARTIN	Ford Fiesta RS WRC	+3m50.5s
09	K. RAIKKONEN / K. LINDSTRÖM	Citroën DS3 WRC	+3m57.0s
10	J. HANNINEN / M. MARKKULA	Skoda Fabia S2000	+5m08.8s
11	D. SORDO / C. DEL BARRIO	MINI WRC	+7m02.7s
12	D. KUIPERS / F. MICLOTTE	Ford Fiesta RS WRC	+7m34.4s
13	M. PROKOP / J. TOMÁNEK	FORD Fiesta S2000	+7m43.2s
14	O. TÄNAK / K. SIKK	FORD Fiesta S2000	+8m33.9s
15	P. ANDERSSON / E. AXELSSON	Subaru Impreza R4	+9m41.3s