Hirvonen hones asphalt expertise in Fiesta S2000

Ford rally team leader Mikko Hirvonen has combined his preparations for the four asphalt rounds of next year's World Championship with a role as test driver of M-Sport's new Fiesta S2000 rally car

Hirvonen, 29, tested the Fiesta S2000 for the first time in icy conditions in the south of France last week and will drive it in January's Monte Carlo Rally, using the five-day rally as a key part of his preparations for the World Rally Championship, which starts in February.

The car has been developed by Ford's rally partner, M-Sport, and made its first appearance as a safety car in November's Rally of Scotland which, like the Monte Carlo Rally, is not part of the FIA World Rally Championship.

"The Fiesta S2000 looks and sounds fantastic. It's great to finally drive it, be part of the development of a totally new car and I was surprised how quickly I got used to driving it," said Mikko. "I was impressed by how good the setup and the chassis are and that allowed me to push really hard straight away. The conditions in France were difficult but even with a changing grip level I was able to drive in a very committed way."

"I've driven the Monte Carlo Rally five times previously, so I'm familiar with the roads and the conditions. There are almost four months between the final round of 2009 and the start of the 2010 season, so this will be ideal for getting my mind back into competition mode," he added.

"The 2010 WRC season begins almost a month later than usual so the Monte Carlo Rally will provide a perfect warm-up for Mikko," explained Ford of Europe's motorsport chief, Gerard Quinn. "It's also a great test opportunity. Road conditions usually vary between dry asphalt and snow or ice. There are four asphalt rallies in the 2010 series, so it will give Mikko valuable practise on that surface. If the weather is wintry, it will also be a good rehearsal for the WRC's first round in Sweden."