Championship-contender Hirvonen in title showdown with Loeb, Russia’s Novikov replaces Al Qassimi in Ford Abu Dhabi’s third car and Team Abu Dhabi Juniors in historic PWRC push
The extent of Abu Dhabi’s 2011 World Rally Championship (WRC) success will be determined next weekend, when three gripping plotlines unfold at the off-road motorsport series’ season-ending round in Wales Rally Great Britain (10th-13th November).
At the head of the field, Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team’s lead driver, Mikko Hirvonen, must beat arch-rival Sebastien Loeb – and secure bonus points from the rally-ending Power Stage - to claim a maiden drivers’ championship title. After another consistent season in which he has scored double-figure points in all 12 rounds thus far, the cool Finn heads to the Welsh forests a mere eight points behind his French nemesis.
“I’ve been in this position before; it’s almost an exact replica of the situation we were in two years ago – it is effectively a shoot-out, a one-off rally to determine the destiny of the drivers’ title,” said Hirvonen, who led the 2009 championship going into its final round before Loeb rallied in Wales to take the title by a solitary point.
“I’m as well prepared as I can be and excited about Wales. The knowledge and experience I gained two years ago will help, but I’m not looking at altering my preparations or anything. The only change I want is to the final result!”
Elsewhere in the WRC line-up, Ford Abu Dhabi partner Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has recruited highly-rated Russian prospect Evgeniy Novikov to pilot the team’s third Fiesta RS World Rally Car as a replacement for regular driver, Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, who is fulfilling commitments at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the same weekend.
The one-rally deal has 21-year-old Novikov, who made his WRC debut in Wales back in 2007, excited about playing a potentially decisive role in the epic title race at the field’s summit.
“Firstly, I’m hugely grateful to Khalid and ADTA for letting me race in this amazing car for the year’s final event,” said Novikov, who was the first Russian and youngest-ever driver to top the WRC time sheets at the 2009 Acropolis Rally.
“It is going to be an incredible feeling racing for Ford Abu Dhabi as the team locks horns with Citroen for the drivers’ championship. I want Mikko to know that I’m prepared to do anything I can to help him seal a first drivers’ championship.”
Further down the field, Team Abu Dhabi’s Bader Al Jabri and Majed Al Shamsi will close-out their debut Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) seasons in Wales. The pair, mentored by Al Qassimi as part of ADTA’s Junior Driver Development Programme, revealed they are determined to vindicate their hero’s faith.
“It has been a great honour racing in the same team and events as Khalid,” said Al Jabri. “The strong results we have achieved over the last few years are a reflection of his support, guidance, trust and instruction. Majed and I really want to finish the season on a high note for Team Abu Dhabi and any result we get will be dedicated to Khalid.”
