Mikko Hirvonen’s co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen says one of the main tasks facing the Citroen crew on Rally Argentina will be to rediscover their flat-out driving pace when the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia resumes later this month.
Lehtinen admitted the treacherous weather conditions experienced on the last round in Portugal forced the ace Finns - and their rivals - to reduce their pace in order to complete the demanding gravel event.
“We have a lot of hard work to do in testing to get back to proper rally speed because [Portugal] was far away from the proper pace,” said Lehtinen. “With this pace you can go back to the Finnish championship. It’s a big job in the test because we need to get back into the rhythm. Portugal was so much off pace and off rhythm, just surviving.”
As well as hitting front-running pace once again, Hirvonen has ground to make up in the WRC title race when he does compete in South America from 27-29 April. Following his exclusion in Portugal, the 31-year-old is 16 points adrift of team-mate and championship leader Sebastien Loeb in the drivers’ standings.
“We’re really waiting for it,” said Lehtinen. “I’m confident the pace is there. There was just no need to show it in Portugal.”