SÉBASTIEN LOEB CLAIMED HIS FIRST WRC VICTORY FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS IN A PULSATING FINALE TO RALLYRACC CATALUNYA - RALLY DE ESPAÑA ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
The nine-time world champion, making his final guest appearance of the season with Citroën Racing, edged defending title holder Sébastien Ogier by 2.9sec in an intense finale to the four-day mixed surface event.
Ogier’s consolation was that he regained the championship lead by three points from Thierry Neuville with one round remaining. The Belgian was relegated from third to fourth, and missed out on crucial bonus points, after hitting a stone near the finish.
Ogier’s consolation was that he regained the championship lead by three points from Thierry Neuville with one round remaining. The Belgian was relegated from third to fourth, and missed out on crucial bonus points, after hitting a stone near the finish.
Loeb, who retired from full-time competition in 2012, last stood on the winners’ podium in Argentina in 2013.
He lay third overnight but charged into the lead by winning Sunday’s opening two speed tests as an inspired tyre choice reaped rewards.
The asphalt roads dried quickly after overnight rain and the 44-year-old was the only front-running driver to gamble on Michelin’s hard compound tyres, which provided better grip than the softer option favoured by his rivals.
Loeb threw away vital seconds with a spin in the penultimate test to allow Ogier to close in his Ford Fiesta. He held on through the final 14.50km test for his ninth Spanish win.
“The information we had from the weather team was right. The roads were drying and I knew if I used hard tyres in these conditions I could be fast,” he said.
“To win after almost six years is incredible, but to do so in a battle like this, where you only discover after the finish line that you have won, is amazing. I never believed I would win again.”
Tyre choice errors early in the event cost Ogier dear, but this season’s remarkable title fight swung back in his favour when Neuville hit a stone close to the finish.
The impact broke his Hyundai i20’s right rear wheel and allowed Elfyn Evans, team-mate to Ogier, to snatch third and aid his colleague’s title bid. Evans ended 0.5sec clear of Neuville.
Spain’s Dani Sordo was a further 1.6sec behind in fifth, while early leader Ott Tänak recovered to sixth after yesterday’s puncture. The Estonian is 23 points adrift of Ogier and with a maximum 30 available at the last round, his hopes hang by a thread.
Spain’s Dani Sordo was a further 1.6sec behind in fifth, while early leader Ott Tänak recovered to sixth after yesterday’s puncture. The Estonian is 23 points adrift of Ogier and with a maximum 30 available at the last round, his hopes hang by a thread.
Esapekka Lappi finished seventh ahead of Toyota Yaris team-mate and overnight leader Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finn remained second until he hit a barrier in the penultimate stage, punctured his front left tyre and dropped nearly 50sec.
Craig Breen and Andreas Mikkelsen completed the top 10.
PLUS DE CINQ ANS APRÈS SON DERNIER SUCCÈS AU SEIN DU CHAMPIONNAT DU MONDE FIA DES RALLYES, SÉBASTIEN LOEB A SIGNÉ UNE SUPERBE VICTOIRE AU RALLYRACC CATALUNYA - RALLY DE ESPAÑA.
Titré Champion du Monde des Rallyes à neuf reprises, Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C3) s'est imposé sur la surface mixte du Rallye d'Espagne avec 2''9 d'avance sur Sébastien Ogier (Ford Fiesta) au terme d'une Power Stage à couper le souffle.
Elfyn Evans (Ford Fiesta) a arraché la troisième place à Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) dans les derniers mètres lorsque le Belge tapait une pierre et cassait sa roue arrière droite. Quatrième, il laisse les commandes du championnat à Sébastien Ogier, qui comptera avec trois points d'avance en Australie le mois prochain.
Ott Tänak (Toyota Yaris) a signé le meilleur temps de la Power Stage pour prendre cinq points bonus, contre quatre pour Sébastien Ogier et trois pour Sébastien Loeb. Elfyn Evans et Dani Sordo (Hyundai i20) complétaient le top cinq de cette dernière spéciale.
The championship showdown takes place at Kennards Hire Rally Australia. The gravel event is based in Coffs Harbour on 15 - 18 November.
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