Wilson prepares for team orders

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson will reverse the positions of his factory drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen on Rallye de France Alsace in order to boost Hirvonen’s chances of becoming world champion for the first time this season.

Hirvonen, from Finland, is currently on course for 10 championship points by finishing fifth on the Strasbourg-based round. He could earn a further three points by winning Sunday’s rally-closing Power Stage through the streets of Sebastien Loeb’s home town of Haguenau, which would put him two points behind Loeb with two rounds of the WRC remaining.

However, if Hirvonen finished ahead of Latvala in fourth and set the fastest time in the Power Stage then he would draw level with Loeb at the top of the drivers’ table.

“Jari-Matti has no chance for the championship so we need to give Mikko the best possible opportunity instead,” said Wilson. “It could be game on for the final two rallies and with the other Sebastien [Ogier] coming into the mix it’s going to be a great climax for the end of the season and great for the sport.”