Leading the event from the outset, the pair were fastest on 13 of the rally's 19 stages and finished 2 minutes 7.9 seconds ahead of second placed Sebastien Loeb. Success on Pirelli's home event was the third consecutive 'local' win for the team, following victories in Japan, the home of Subaru, and Great Britain, where the team is based. The result also marked Subaru's 44th WRC victory and its 43rd with the Impreza.

Using the WRC re-start system, Mikko Hirvonen continued driving after his retirement in Leg one. Demonstrating his potential, the young Finn set a string of top three times and gained valuable experience aboard his Subaru Impreza WRC2004.

Petter Solberg"It's a fantastic feeling, but it's been really hard work all the way - Phil was cheering as we crossed the finish line, but I was still too focused on the driving to take it all in! It's been a very good few rallies, let me tell you, and it's a great feeling to take another win here, the team have been working so hard, and I think we've proved that we're the best team on gravel now. The event has been good fun to drive, I didn't feel I was pushing to the limit, but the tyres were good, the car worked well and when everything comes together like that it's much easier for me. Pirelli have been very good here, I must say, our tyre choices have been perfect all weekend and I want to thank them, the team and everyone at Subaru for a great job. Next up we've got two tarmac rallies, I have to do the best I can. I actually prefer tarmac to gravel, but I know we have a lot to do. We still have a chance for the Championship. It's very small, but it's still there."

Mikko Hirvonen"Well, today has been perfect, no problems at all and everything worked as it should. We tried some of Petter's settings this afternoon and they helped us take another positive step. Obviously it's a shame that I wasn't able to take any points from Sardinia, but Jarmo and I have learned a lot about this rally and that's going to be very helpful for next year."

David Lapworth, Team Principal"First and foremost it's been a terrific job from Petter and Phil who have shown their unbeatable pace on gravel. Secondly, yet again I think it's clear that in these conditions our tyres give us a real advantage and I'm very grateful for all the hard work the team at Pirelli have put in. Thirdly I'd like to thank the engineers who did such a brilliant job in getting the set-up of the car right and finally, everyone else in the Subaru Team - three rally wins in a row is an incredible achievement that required everyone to dig deep and this result is a fitting reward for their efforts."

The Tour de Corse, round 14 of the 16-event 2004 FIA World Rally Championship, begins in two weeks time from the French Island of Corsica. The first of two consecutive classic asphalt rallies, the event is renowned for its twisty stages and abrasive road surface. Including 387.80 competitive kilometres over 12 stages, the three-day event starts on Friday 15 October. The longest stage is the repeated Peri-Bastelica test at 40.94km, and the shortest is the repeated Penitencier Coti Chiavari - Pietra Rossa stage at 24.24km.