Hirvonen wins Rally Monte Carlo

Instant win for all new Ford Fiesta S2000 in competitive debut

Amsterdam / Monte Carlo, January 23, 2010, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, the legendary Monte Carlo Rally won in their new M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 after the race debut of the Fiesta from start to finish on the lead location. The drivers of Ford's official FIA World Rally Championship team braved the treacherous winter conditions in the mountains of southern France and reached the finish line in Monaco's famous harbor with nearly two minutes ahead of their nearest challenger.

The Fiesta S2000 was developed by Ford's rally partner M-Sport, and its racing debut was not chosen to rally heavier than the Monte Carlo Rally. The Fiesta still functioned perfectly so Hirvonen and Lehtinen after 405.01 kilometers race no better start to the 2010 WRC season could imagine.

The experience of the Finn, second in the WRC-2009, proved decisive at the wheel of the exciting new Fiesta S2000. The rally also provided an ideal warm-up for the upcoming WRC, that next month in Sweden starts. The Monte Carlo Rally was the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), M-Sport which is registered as a participant.

Malcolm Wilson, Director of M-Sport, followed the climax of the rally on the TV screens in the service area when the Fiesta S2000 Hirvonen safely sent to victory. Snow and ice covered the mountain roads in the Ardèche and the Alpes-Maritimes region making the grip changed constantly in the extremely slippery conditions. The Pirelli tires, however, did very well in winter weather and Hirvonen made no mistake in the fifteen stages. "The Monte Carlo Rally is one of the largest rallies in the world and it is great for that win," said the 29-year-old Hirvonen in the cosmopolitan port city. "The rally was long and hard and the conditions made the challenge even greater. This car is brand new to rallies but everything worked perfectly from the first kilometer. This is a tribute to the whole team and especially the people in the last few weeks have been working extra hard. To start the season with a win is a big boost for our confidence. I enjoy the victory and I want to feel the same way next month to continue in Sweden, when the WRC season begins. "

Wilson, Managing Director of M-Sport on the victory of Hirvonen: "This is a dream debut for our new Fiesta S2000. We had the lead from start to finish in the hands and had no problem. That is very encouraging for a new car. Mikko drove exactly the speed needed to win and his feedback will be crucial for the further development of the Fiesta. I would also like the entire team at M-Sport with such devotion to thank all the energy has gone into in just nine months time to develop a car, now the "Monte" won. "

Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe motorsport chief, said: "I am delighted that Ford Fiesta S2000 such a prestigious event like the Monte Carlo Rally wins. The fact that this car directly triumphant debut rally ended is proof that the constant, close cooperation between Ford and M-Sport is excellent and that both companies share an extensive technical expertise in the development of rally cars. The strength and reliability so characteristic of the street version of the Fiesta, the perfect foundation for the development of the Fiesta S2000. "

The next round of the IRC's Rally Internacional de Curitiba in Brazil, from April to March 6 will be held.

Results Monte Carlo Rally 2010

Intermediate riders

Source: Ford Media