BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed a podium finish on Rally de España to retain the lead of the FIA World Rally Championship and set up an exciting final round showdown later this month. The Finns' third place in a BP Ultimate branded Ford Focus RS World Rally Car on the flowing asphalt roads of Catalonia means they will journey to the last round in Great Britain with a one-point advantage in the drivers' standings.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila finished sixth in another Focus RS WRC after three days' demanding competition in the hills near Salou, south of Barcelona. The smooth roads were similar to a race circuit in their characteristics and dry conditions for all but a few kilometres on Friday morning ensured consistent grip from Pirelli's hard compound tyres. Competitors tackled 18 speed tests covering 353.62km.

Hirvonen, for whom asphalt is his least favourite surface, was realistic about his chances of extending his four-event winning streak against sealed surface experts. The 29-year-old set his sights on a podium to main his championship lead. He eased into third on the opening morning and when it became clear that he could not catch the drivers ahead, he settled for third and solid points.

What Mikko Hirvonen had to say:

"I'm a bit disappointed because I wanted second place but third keeps me in the lead of the championship. It took me longer to get used to asphalt than I would have liked but I learned a lot and I think I now know what I need to do to improve my pace here next year. For the last two days I've driven at a safe speed, at a pace which was sufficient to keep Petter Solberg behind me in fourth. That was the sensible thing to do with the title in mind. All I can think about now is going to Great Britain for the final round. I'm really looking forward to it because it should be a fantastic weekend. Whoever finishes highest there between myself and Sébastien Loeb will take the title, and what an exciting way to end the season that will be."

Latvala was a model of consistency throughout. He finished sixth in 13 of the opening 14 special stages to establish a firm grip on sixth overall. He experimented with different set-up specifications on his Focus RS WRC and his speed increased as the weekend progressed. The 24-year-old finished on a high by winning the final test this afternoon.

What Jari-Matti Latvala had to say:

"That was a good feeling after a tough weekend and it's my first fastest time in Spain. My speed here wasn't as fast as I expected but I drove sensibly and carefully and improved with every day and every stage. I'm looking forward to getting back onto gravel in Britain later this month. I enjoy that rally and hope I can play a part in an exciting end to the championship."

What BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson had to say:

"It's a good result for Mikko to finish on the podium in what has been quite a tricky rally. To leave Spain still leading the championship and to head to Britain with just a point separating the top drivers means we should see a fantastic battle there. Jari-Matti played a good team role and improved his pace throughout the weekend, culminating in a stage win on the final test."

Next Round

The final round of the season is Rally of Great Britain, which will be fought out over fast gravel roads in south and mid-Wales. The rally is based in Cardiff on 22 - 25 October.

Final positions - Rally de España
1. S Loeb/D Elena     FRA     Citroen C4     3hr 22min 14.7sec
2. D Sordo/M Marti     ESP     Citroen C4     +0:12.0
3. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen     FIN     Ford Focus RS    +0:54.1
4. P Solberg/P Mills     NOR     Citroen C4     +1:12.4
5. S Ogier/J Ingrassia     FRA     Citroen C4     +1:41.6
6. J-M Latvala/M Anttila     FIN     Ford Focus RS    +2:49.8
7. M Wilson/S Martin     GBR     Ford Focus RS    +7:15.5
8. F Villagra/J Perez Companc    ARG     Ford Focus RS    +8:28.1
9. H Solberg/C Menkerud     NOR     Ford Focus RS    +9:07.6
10 D Snobeck/G Mondesir     FRA     Peugeot 307     +10:56.0

Drivers Standings after Round 11 of 12    
1. M Hirvonen     84pts
2. S Loeb     83pts
3. D Sordo     58pts
4. J-M Latvala     39pts
5. P Solberg     30pts
6. H Solberg     29pts    

Manufacturers Stanindings after Round 11 of 12
1. Citroen 151pts
2. BP Ford Abu Dhabi     130pts
3. Stobart VK M-Sport Ford    73pts
4. Citroen Junior 42pts
5. Munchi's Ford     23pts


BP Ultimate

BP invests huge resources into the development of leading fuel technologies, which has led to the creation of BP Ultimate unleaded fuel.

BP Ultimate is an advanced performance fuel designed to deliver a combination of enhanced engine performance and reduced exhaust emissions. A fuel which is formulated to burn better than ordinary fuels and clean engines while driving.

BP believes its customers deserve more. And less. More power, sharper acceleration and better fuel economy from a fuel which is less harmful to the environment than ordinary fuel. This is BP Ultimate...

As sponsors of the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Championship team, it is only natural that it is BP Ultimate's aim to be the best. In partnership since 2004, the BP Ultimate-backed team, made up of super fast Finns Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, took the manufacturers' title in 2006 and 2007.

BP and Ford WRC strategic partnership:

BP and Ford has a long running cooperation which aims to develop, enhance and commercialise technology and other business solutions for the benefit of their 'energy' and 'auto' consumers and ultimately for their mutual advantage.

BP and Ford are committed to working together to improve mobility, quality of offer and address global climate change and air quality issues in the context of transport and energy. BP and Ford share many parallel challenges and values, and use the relationship as a means of addressing or building on these, particularly in the areas of technical innovation, enhancing consumers' overall driving experience and environmental performance.

BP and Ford share a firm belief that energy and automakers working together rather than independently, concertedly leveraging each other's knowledge and technology, can better develop products to satisfy their customers' want for responsible personal transport.