Mikko Hirvonen has all but secured fourth position on Neste Oil Rally Finland after winning the penultimate stage of the world championship qualifier in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
Out front Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb will take a lead of 8.4s over Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala into the final test, the 4.19-kilometre Power Stage.
Mads Ostberg, who was fourth quickest in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta, reported damage to his car’s left-rear upright after completing the stage.
Crews are now heading to a regroup in Laajavuori. The Power Stage, which will be shown live on television throughout the world, is due to get underway at 19:11hrs local time.
| Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | S. LOEB / D. ELENA | Citroën DS3 WRC | 2h36m56.8s |
| 02 | J. LATVALA / M. ANTTILA | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +8.4s |
| 03 | S. OGIER / J. INGRASSIA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +12.8s |
| 04 | M. HIRVONEN / J. LEHTINEN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +1m09.7s |
| 05 | P. SOLBERG / C. PATTERSSON | Citroën DS3 WRC | +1m15.9s |
| 06 | M. ØSTBERG / J. ANDERSSON | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +1m25.5s |
| 07 | H. SOLBERG / I. MINOR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +3m25.3s |
| 08 | M. WILSON / S. MARTIN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +3m50.5s |
| 09 | K. RAIKKONEN / K. LINDSTRÖM | Citroën DS3 WRC | +3m57.0s |
| 10 | J. HANNINEN / M. MARKKULA | Skoda Fabia S2000 | +5m08.8s |
| 11 | D. SORDO / C. DEL BARRIO | MINI WRC | +7m02.7s |
| 12 | D. KUIPERS / F. MICLOTTE | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +7m34.4s |
| 13 | M. PROKOP / J. TOMÁNEK | FORD Fiesta S2000 | +7m43.2s |
| 14 | O. TÄNAK / K. SIKK | FORD Fiesta S2000 | +8m33.9s |
| 15 | P. ANDERSSON / E. AXELSSON | Subaru Impreza R4 | +9m41.3s |