Twelve months ago life was looking pretty good for Mikko Hirvonen. The Finn had come within a point of becoming world champion in 2009 and had been triumphant in the opening round of the 2010 season in Sweden.
But for Jari-Matti Latvala, his BP Ford Abu Dhabi teammate, things appeared fairly gloomy in early 2010. Coming off the back of a 2009 season that had seen him involved in a number of costly accidents, he had been under pressure to perform, and a distant third place in Karlstad behind his victorious teammate had not been the start he wanted.
However, fast forward to the present and the events of the past 12 months have changed the make-up of the Ford team.
Hirvonen had his worst season in the sport since getting a manufacturers' car, not winning since the opening round and making the podium only once as he finished a lowly sixth in the championship.
Latvala, on the other hand, had the best year of his career, winning in New Zealand and his home rally in Finland on his way to finishing second in the championship behind Sebastien Loeb, the Citroen driver, who claimed his seventh successive title.
Quite the turnaround in fortunes for both, and it sets up a tantalising new season, which begins in Sweden tonight with the opening special stage.
Hirvonen, who was the team's lead driver going into 2010 season, acknowledges he has a lot to do to bounce back from a season of under-achievement, which was highlighted by a spectacular high-speed crash in Finland, that saw his car roll six times.
But the 30-year-old believes he can rediscover his form in the new Ford Fiesta model that the team will be racing this season.
He said: "Last year was difficult, but that was last year and I am confident myself and the team can move on from that.
"I learned a lot last year. We had some bad luck with reliability, but I think there were times last year when we tried too hard, and I think I was guilty of overdriving the car on occasions."
Latvala, speaking from his own experience, is sure that his compatriot will be back fighting for wins, starting in Sweden.
"It is difficult when things are not going for you, whether it is through your own making or not," the 25-year-old said.
"I had it in 2009, but you have to just focus and work hard and I am sure we will see Mikko back up at the front fighting for wins."
As to his rejuvenation last year, Latvala said that his improvement was largely about keeping it simple and cutting out the mistakes.
"I think the speed has always been there in my driving," he said. "It has just been a case of being consistent and I felt I did that last year and I cut out the mistakes. It was a fantastic season for me and I really grew in confidence."
Latvala won in Sweden in 2008 and he and Hirvonen go into the event knowing they can win at the only race of the season which will be contested on snow and ice.
The sport has been dominated by Loeb for the past seven years, and realistically, if anyone is to end the Frenchman's supremacy it is going to be one of the Ford drivers.
Latvala believes that Loeb can be beaten over the 13-rally season, but only if everything is just right.
"I think we have seen that Loeb is beatable on a rally, but you have to have everything exactly perfect over the weekend.
"That is what we need to do over a season to beat him. I have a good feeling for the new car from testing and I am confident we can challenge."
Hirvonen is reluctant to make predictions on how he thinks he will fare, but said: "The car has felt good in testing and I am encouraged by where we are.
"All we can do is push to our maximum and hopefully be in contention for wins."
The two Finns are joined in Sweden by Sheikh Khalid al Qassimi, who will race in the majority of this season's rallies for the Ford team.
The Emirati driver, who has driven for the team since 2002, picked up 12 points in last year's series, and is hoping a pre-rally test in the snow will allow him to make a strong start in Sweden.
"I have not had any opportunities for pre-rally tests, so the time I have spent in the new car on a surface that is different to anything else we compete on has been vital," said the 38-year-old.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Manchester United's summer dealings
In
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £75 million
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40 million
Out
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released
Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer
Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')
Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')
Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
