Last updated 19:47, Thursday, 07 August 2008

BP FORD Abu Dhabi World Rally Team crew Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished second in Rally Finland on Sunday after a thrilling duel with arch-rival Sébastien Loeb during the four-day event.

AIRBORNE: Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen battles hard through the Finnish forests

The Finns' seventh podium in nine rallies this year preserves their lead in the World Rally Championship driver standings and keeps Ford on top in the manufacturers’ series with the record-breaking Focus RS World Rally Car.

Hirvonen and Loeb fought for every second over the blisteringly fast roller-coaster roads of central Finland.

The gap between the duelling drivers never rose above 18.2 seconds over the 24 speed tests covering 340.42km, and, despite Hirvonen’s final-day attack in the forest stages east of his home town of Jyväskylä, he ended this fastest round of the season just nine seconds behind Loeb.

Finland is regarded as rallying’s home and is one of the most specialised events of the season. Famous for its wide, hard roads and stomach-churning jumps, this year’s rally also included several narrower sections to test the drivers.

Precision driving and bravery are more important here than anywhere else as the fast roads offer little room for error. Such was the pace that average speeds topped 126kph and the fierce battle for victory left third-placed Chris Atkinson more than three minutes 15 seconds adrift.

The battle produced a familiar pattern. As soon as one driver eked out a few seconds over his rival, the other would respond on the next stage to keep the margin stable.

Hirvonen won six stages and relished the fight with Loeb, during which he made no mistakes despite constant on-the-limit driving.

Hirvonen said: “I’m pleased with my driving but I came here to win and Loeb found a few seconds more.

“We played cat and mouse all weekend and when I won a stage, he usually won the next. For there to be only nine seconds between us after all this crazy driving is amazing.

“I lost the time by not being brave enough in the narrow sections. It’ll be difficult but we must now fight for the win on every round.

“It was a fantastic rally and an amazing fight and it's unfortunate I didn’t win in front of my home fans. I pushed right to the end but it wasn’t enough.”

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila finished 39th after a first-day accident ended their chances of victory.

After breaking a steering arm against a large rock and crashing off the road, the 23-year-old Finnish driver retired from the day, returning to the action the next day on under SupeRally rules with a 45-minute penalty.

Abu Dhabi’s Khalid Al Qassimi and Michael Orr finished 11th in the team’s other Focus RS.

“This was an excellent result, especially as I haven't competed for over two months. It was difficult to find the required balance of attacking hard enough and being cautious over the huge crests.”

Team director Malcolm Wilson said: “This wasn’t the result we were looking for but, having lost Jari-Matti so early, it made it more difficult for Mikko because he had to think about both championships.

“He delivered an incredible performance and learned a lot, having to battle with Loeb for three days, which will make him stronger.”

Loeb’s victory made him only the seventh non-Finn to win the rally in 58 years.

The next round of the championship sees a return to asphalt for the first time since January with the Rallye Deutschland, August 14-17.

Finland top 10: 1, Loeb/D Elena, Citroen C4, two hours 54 minutes 5.5 seconds; 2, M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen, Ford Focus RS, 2/54/14.5; 3, C Atkinson/S Prévot, Subaru Impreza, 2/57/22.5; 4, D Sordo/M Marti, Citroen C4, 2/57/36.4; 5, H Solberg/C Menkerud, Ford Focus RS, 2/58/03.2; 6, P Solberg/P Mills, Subaru Impreza 2/58/09.6; 7, M Rantanen/J Lönegren, Ford Focus RS, 3/00/16.6; 8, T Gardemeister/T Tuominen, Suzuki SX4, 3/02/24.2; 9, M Wilson/S Martin, Ford Focus RS, 3/02/42.8; 10, C Rautenbach/D Senior, Citroen C4, 3/04/36.4.

World Rally Championship Drivers: 1, Hirvonen 67 points; 2, Loeb 66; 3, Atkinson 37; 4, D Sordo 35; 5, Latvala 34; 6, P Solberg 23.

Manufacturers: 1, BP Ford Abu Dhabi 108 points; 2, Citroen Total 105; 3, Subaru 62; 4, Stobart VK M-Sport 45; 5, Munchi's Ford 19; 6, Suzuki 12.