Mikko Hirvonen has welcomed the opportunity to debate the future of the World Rally Championship with the sport's bosses at this afternoon's first driver meeting.
The WRC drivers have been calling for more input into the sport for some time and new WRC Commission president Jarmo Mahonen has answered that call. All priority one drivers have been invited to the meeting in Karlstad and Hirvonen said he is eager to talk.
"It's a good start," said Hirvonen. "We've been wanting something like this for a while now. I hope this will be the first of many meetings.
"We've got plenty to talk about, the main things being safety and the format of rallies. But, yes, as a group of drivers, we're really pleased to be talking."
Recently appointed WRC manager Michele Mouton backed the establishment of the group, saying: "When I was a driver, the FIA was synonymous with sanctions and things like this, so for me this move is completely logical. When I was driving, it was always a regret of mine that we didn't have a body like this."