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BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team extends winning streak

4,385 views · Published 21 August 2009 · 1:41 · Indexed 19 October 2026

Channel: Ford Europe · 2009 · Autos & Vehicles

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BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team driver Mikko Hirvonen fulfilled a childhood dream by winning Rally Finland in front of his home town fans in Jyvaskyla recently. 

Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen won the legendary rally by 25.1 seconds to extend their lead in the FIA World Rally Championship to three points with three rounds remaining. It was Hirvonens third straight rally win and Fords fourth consecutive victory.

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikka Antilla joined their fellow Finns on the podium, by claiming third in their Focus RS WRC.

The result enabled Ford to close the gap on Citroen in the Manufacturers world title fight to 14 points
The teams winning streak began on Rally dItalia Sardegna where Latvala topped the podium, leading from start to finish to claim his second career WRC win. Hirvonen finished second.

Next up was a landmark victory in Greece as Hirvonen took first place to secure Fords 70th world rally victory. It was Fords seventh win in ten seasons in Greece and was also the 40th world rally win for M-Sport, Fords WRC partner. Latvala joined Hirvonen on the podium, finishing third.

The winning run continued on Rally Poland as HIrvonen lead for the entire event. Latvala was on course for second place but was forced to retire with the finish in sight after hitting a barrel and breaking his cars steering.

Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europes senior manager for Motorsport, commented: Four consecutive wins in conditions ranging from the blisteringly fast roads in Finland to the rock-strewn tracks and searing heat in Greece demands a blend of strength, speed and reliability form both man and machine and I look forward to us challenging in Australia.

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