When Mikko went to Santiago

Not only did Citroen’s FIA World Rally Championship runner-up support the Chilean launch of the firm’s DS5 road car, the flying Finn also pledged his backing to a new rally team entering two DS3 R3s in the Chilean national championship next season, took passengers for a high-speed ride in a Citroen SS3 Sport Chic and met Citroen employees during an autograph signing session.

“I have been really enchanted by Chile,” said Hirvonen. “There are beautiful mountains as far as the eye can see, all the streets and avenues in Santiago are lined with trees and flowers, as if they are there to remind you how welcoming the Chileans are.”

Before leaving, Hirvonen helped with the handover of 10 cars to Chile’s largest technical university in partnership with the French national education system.

“Mikko really enjoyed taking part and everyone was impressed by his good humour and approachability,” said Fernan Gazmuri, chairman of the Citroen brand in Chile. “This is the biggest event that we have held here so far and Mikko’s presence gave our operation another dimension, as well as an undisputed dynamic. I hope we’ll have the pleasure of seeing him here again, sometime in the future.”