New Citroen recruit Mikko Hirvonen has spoken of his love/hate relationship with the first round of the 2012 World Rally Championship season, Rallye Monte-Carlo.
The 31-year-old Finn won the event when it ran outside of the WRC schedule in 2010 but admits the unpredictable nature of the weather and the complexities surrounding tyre choice makes it one of the hardest rallies on the calendar.
“Monte Carlo has such a long tradition and the championship has to start form Monte Carlo but I have a kind of love and hate relationship with the rally,” said Hirvonen, who moved to Citroen from Ford during the winter. “I mean I love it when I’m not there but when you’re up in the mountains with the wrong tyres doing icy downhill with the slick tyre then I hate it. But it’s a real challenge and I’m very happy to start the season over there and really excited to be in the Citroen.”
Hirvonen undertook a pre-Rallye Monte-Carlo test prior to the Christmas break. Afterwards he was full of admiration for the Citroen DS3 WRC he and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen will campaign in 2012.
“It was really interesting to feel the differences between our previous car and our Citroen,” said Hirvonen. “I could understand how the car is handling. Also many things come more clear to me why before we have been slow in some areas. It’s a very exciting car and it feels really good.”