On this last confrontation of the season, Mikko Hirvonen won an uncontested victory by leading Wales Rally GB from start to finish. On his final WRC round, second-placed Marcus Grönholm secured a one-two result for the Ford team, this year's Constructors' Championship winner.
The podium was completed by Sébastien Loeb, a result which allowed the Citroën Sport driver to obtain a fourth consecutive WRC driver's crown. The Frenchman now stands at equal record status with Finnish drivers Juha Kankkunen and Tomi Mäkinen.
The semblance of a ritual passage
This season, Marcus Grönholm was rightly considered as the Ford team's Number One driver. The Finn had even set the objective of taking the Drivers' Championship as well as allowing his employer to retain the constructors' crown. Mikko Hirvonen's job was to support his fellow countryman and bring in additional points.
Hirvonen played his role successfully all season long. Frequently appearing on the podium, he would fill in the gap and fight for rally victories when Grönholm encountered problems.
Following those in Norway and Japan, the younger Finn accomplished his third win of the year in Great Britain, his fourth career win in total.
At a time when Grönholm heads for retirement, Hirvonen's victory today in Cardiff seems almost akin to a ritual transition from the elder former champion to the younger hopeful contender.
Hirvonen should logically be Ford's spearhead next year, and with that description comes the task of confronting Loeb for rally wins and eventually the drivers' title itself.
Hirvonen had an advantage on this event however: the total absence of pressure. While Grönholm and Loeb were competing for the title and avoiding any risks, Hirvonen was free to pour all his energies into the race. He took control of the rally right from the start and did not let go, committing no errors on the tricky and slippery terrain – except for one luckily inconsequential off during the very last stage.
Marcus Grönholm knew very well that the challenge would be a difficult one. To clinch the title, he had to finish on either the first or second step of the podium and hope that Sébastien Loeb would do no better than fifth place.
