Mikko Hirvonen makes strong start to finish day in second spot

The BP Ford Abu Dhabi driver, whose only victory last year came in Sweden, keeps his cool in heavy snow in Karlstad to go into today¿s second leg 14.8 seconds behind Mads Ostberg, the surprise leader in his privateer Ford.

Mikko Hirvonen had pledged to put his disappointing 2010 season behind him in the World Rally Championship and he made a good start to meeting that vow by finishing yesterday's opening day of Rally Sweden in second place.

The BP Ford Abu Dhabi driver, whose only victory last year came in Sweden, kept his cool in heavy snow in Karlstad to go into today's second leg 14.8 seconds behind Mads Ostberg, the surprise leader in his privateer Ford.

Petter Solberg is second in a privateer Citroen, with Hirvonen's teammate Jari-Matti Latvala in third place.

Sebastien Loeb, the seven-time world champion, had a frustrating day as he struggled with being first on the road. He is almost three minutes off the pace and in ninth place in his Citroen.

Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, will start today in 10th place in his BP Ford Abu Dhabi car.

Meanwhile, Robert Kubica has pledged to return to Formula One before the end of the year despite suffering multiple fractures to his arm and leg and a partially severed right hand following a crash in the Ronde di Andora rally last Sunday.

The 26-year-old Polish driver, who was due to race for Lotus Renault this season, told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I want to return this year.

"I am really determined to reduce the recovery time with a very defined programme. I want to return stronger than before."

"The fingers work and so does the arm, I can feel them.

"But I still have to undergo another operation and then I will know."