Mikko Hirvonen, Ford driver, attacked the Rally de Portugal «with everything» and the result was a successful assault on the leadership.
Mikko Hirvonen wasn't for the adjustments in the last special of this second day of the Rally de Portugal. The Ford/M-Sport driver, the result of a seventh stage without errors, is now leading the Portuguese race of the World Rallys.
On the heels of Mikko Hirvonen, an unusual name who seems to have found inspiration in the Algarve landscapes to make the Ford Fiesta RS WRC “fly”. We are talking about Ott Tanak, the Estonian driver who is in 2nd place overall, just 3.7s off the first place.
In 3rd place comes the world champion, Sebastien Ogier, pilot of the Volkswagen team. The French driver may have lost the lead in the rally, hampered by being the first on the road, although there are those who suggest that Ogier has deliberately 'raised his foot' to start in a better position in tomorrow's stages. In other words, everything is open in the fight for the final victory.
A fight that now takes place with three riders, after Jari-Matti Latvala withdrew in the Silves special, following a loss.
Hyundai is also very positive, with three victories in qualifying and with the Spaniard Dani Sordo occupying the 5th place overall, behind Mads Ostberg, aboard a Citroen.
Tomorrow will also comprise a total of six specials, with two passages through the spectacular sections of Santa Clara, Malhão and Santana da Serra.
Below is the general classification, at the end of this second day:
1. Mikko Hirvonen (M-Sport), 1:25:05.6
2. Ott Tanak (M-Sport), +3.7s
3. Sebastien Ogier (Volkswagen), +6.5s
4. Mads Ostberg (Citroen), +25.6s
5. Dani Sordo (Hyundai), +25.7s
6. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), +42.0s
7. Henning Solberg (Ford Fiesta), +1m42.3s
8. Juho Hanninen (Hyundai), +1m58.2s
9. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen), +2m16.2s
10. Martin Prokop (Jipocar), +2m59.2s