Zoom From the mud of Wales to the snow in Monte Carlo

This week's season opening WRC event marks Mikko Hirvonen's fifth Rallye Monte Carlo and with forecasts suggesting wintry weather is likely in the mountains, he knows how tough the event could be.

"Monte Carlo is all about the weather," the BP Ford driver declared. "If it is dry and mild then it is like any other asphalt event. If there is snow and ice then conditions can change quickly and nobody can predict what might happen. In such conditions the only safe thing to predict is that the stages will be unpredictable. It's the biggest challenge in the championship."

"I can't wait to get started again," Hirvonen added, with the potential results already on his mind. "I will begin every rally thinking about winning, but if I can't do that then second place is where I need to be."

"It will be difficult for me to take on Marcus Gronholm's role in the team but I feel ready for it," he stated. "I learned much from him during the last two seasons and now it is time for me to move on and show that I too can fight for the drivers' title."

E.A.
Source Ford