Wales 2009. The engine of Ford Focus WRC is roaring in the forest. The rain hits the ground and makes the road even more treacherous. Despite this, Mikko Hirvonen is on a charge. The world title is at stake. He must defeat Sébastien Loeb's time. Ford storms over every chrest and through every corner on the limit, but finally, the limit is crossed: heavy landing breaks the bonnet and Hirvonen must stop on the stage for a minute. The fight is over, Loeb takes the title.
This is the closest Hirvonen got to the title, but despite this, he can walk out of WRC his head held high. Four runners-up places and 15 rally wins in WRC are more than most drivers ever achieve.
Like many top Finnish WRC drivers, Hirvonen was managered by Timo Jouhki, who had spotted the skilled driver in Finnish rally championship back in 2001. Mikko showed promising speed in a two-wheel car and in 2003 he was a member of Malcolm Wilson´s Ford WRC team, a team where he was destined to spend most of his career. After a short stint in Subaru alongside world champion Petter Solberg, he was not offered a new deal. He had to convince the WRC teams again.
Its not a surprise that Mikko did it with Ford in 2005. After impressive speed in Acropolis, he was chosen for the factory team for Rally Finland where he finished as the best Ford-driver. Podium in an asphalt rally in Catalonya sealed the factory drive for 2006 with Ford.
In 2006 and 2007 Mikko supported Marcus Grönholm's title challenge. In 2006 and 2007 the pair brought the manufacturers' championship to Ford and Mikko scored his first win in Australia 2006. After 2007 Grönholm called a day on his career and Mikko's big moment arrived: he would lead the team's challenge against Loeb and Citroën.
Finally, it was only one man who stood between Mikko and the ultimate triumph. Loeb was unbeatable in seasons 2008-2011. The fight was closest in 2009 and Citroën needed teamorders in Rally of Poland to fight off Mikko's title challenge. Finally Mikko lost the title by one point at the end of the season.
For 2012 Hirvonen made a surprise move to Citroën as Loeb's team-mate. When the nine-times world champion retired at the end of 2012, many believed Mikko's moment had finally arrived. But in 2013 nothing seemed to work and the championship had a new fast Sébastien: Ogier in the new Volkswagen team. Ogier and VW were unbeatable.
For 2014 the circle closed as Mikko returned to Ford for his final season. In the last two rallies, Mikko showed his speed was still there: he finished 3rd in Catalonya and Rally of Wales was like an enbodiment of his career: he beat the other drivers finishing second, but one fast French Sébastien won the event - this time it was Ogier.
Thank you for these years Mikko!
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