Malcolm was there.
You can see from outside if someone attacking the stage with the car. I saw it at 3 VW, Meeke and Hanninen. Mikko was cruising a bit.
You are correct, though admittedly Mikko was the best of the rest - just like the results tell too.
Personally I wasn't expecting too much from Mikko. For me the biggest dissappointments in Rally Finland were Mads Östberg and Andreas Mikkelsen (and Nikara, but for other reason). Östberg was lost throughout the event until he had to retire and Mikkelsen I was expecting to keep up with JML and Ogier at least for some time, but he didn't seem to have that extra raw speed this time.
In the words of BB King - The thrill is gone. Mikko's last statement, if accurately reported, in the Autosport item indicates a mind-set of looking for reasons to avoid pushing to the limit. Some sportsmen only have so much reserve of enthusiasm and Mikko shows all the signs of burn out.
IF you know before the event you have a non competitive car you dont perform better. Or cant. Its in your head. Mikko did very good after circumstances. IF you saw him live you'd understand.
I admit Mikkos has peaked but with right material he still could win events. (I know Citroën was good car but didnt suit or wasnt that good last two years)
Everyone could say "if I can just drive better car....or have some more luck.... and so on". So all of them are in the same position except VW drivers as it seems. Anyway I don't think Hirvonen would win even 1 Rally win Polo.... he just seem not "there" anymore somehow.
http://www.rally.it/mikko-ci-pensa-e-forse-lascia/ sounds intresting...
Sadly it seems so... I always thought that they key to sucess was, to barrow the tune from Ian Drury:
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfp8xrNAS6I
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Worked for me when I was nearing burn-out.
Mikko not continuing in M-Sport and (according to the manager) not looking for any other options either, since there arenīt any. Although Mr. Manager making it sound as if M-Sport isnīt good enough for Mikko, not the other way around.
http://yle.fi/urheilu/ei_enaa_nalkaa...alliin/7437044