M-Sport World Rally Team’s Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed an early lead at Rally Italia Sardegna this evening. Mastering the opening 1.30 kilometres sprint stage, the Finns go into tomorrow’s speed tests with a 0.2 second advantage over the chasing pack.

Huge crowds turned out to see the FIA World Rally Championship’s finest tackle the tricky super special and Hirvonen did not disappoint. Piloting his Ford Fiesta RS WRC through the narrow stage on Cagliari’s picturesque harbour front, the M-Sport man will sleep well tonight – safe in the knowledge that he has taken an early lead on an event at which he traditionally thrives.

Mikko Hirvonen (1st) said:

“It was a really good show and I think that we did a good job of entertaining the thousands of spectators who came out to see us. We only have a 0.2 second lead going into tomorrow, but it is still a stage win and to take it in front of such a fantastic crowd was a really nice way to start the rally. The real work starts tomorrow, but this evening, we can go to bed happy.”

Image: M-Sport