Sligo, Ireland: Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen had plenty of reasons to smile at the end of Rally Ireland.
Having finished fourth here, Hirvonen not only succeeded in sealing the constructors' title for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed BP-Ford World Rally Team for the second successive year, but also sent out a message, loud and clear: That the future of the ADTA-backed BP-Ford World Rally Team will be in safe hands in the post-Marcus Gronholm era.
"This has been a brilliant season for both BP-Ford and me personally. Marcus and I have worked well together and that's important because to win the manufacturers' title it's vital to have both drivers scoring consistently and not just one," Hirvonen said after yesterday's final round here.
"My task was to concentrate on securing podium finishes and getting manufacturers' points and I feel I have achieved that. This is great!" With first driver Gronholm set to retire from the circuit at the end of the Wales Rally in Great Britain early next month, the constructors' title is a crucial plus for the team and it could not have come at a more opportune moment.
Great start
Going into a new season, Hirvonen will now shoulder extra responsibilities for BP-Ford - to be renamed BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team from next season.
The going was certainly not easy for Hirvonen on the last day of the race and he had to follow a cautious approach, giving top priority to finish the race more than anything else.
The Finn had a great start to the last day here, clinching his first stage victory on the opening round. Before the start of the last day's action, Hirvonen said: "I don't need to attack. I just need to win those three points for Ford."
At the end of the day, his strategy stands vindicated.
