Monday 11th March 2013

Ogier takes WRC win in Mexico

'The new Sebastien' extends lead at the top of the table with a resounding victory

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What is it about drivers called Seb? No matter where you look they’re in dominant form in the world of motorsport. First there was Loeb in the WRC, and then Vettel  in Formula 1. And now that the former’s taken semi-retirement (albeit still driving as convincingly as ever before), his place at the top of the rally tree seems to have been taken for the time being by another Seb – this time, M. Ogier, a fellow Frenchman.

Win gives Ogier a comfortable lead

Ogier firmly put his stamp on this year’s WRC this weekend with a second consecutive overall win, this time in Mexico.  His was a supreme performance, too, bringing his VW Polo home in first place on 16 of the event's 23 stages, and finishing a full 3min29sec ahead of second-placed Mikko Hirvonen in his Citroen DS3.

“This victory at our debut on gravel is very special and will always have a special place in my heart,” said Ogier. “We will definitely celebrate it in style tonight! We obviously have a big lead now in the World Championship, but there are still another ten rallies to come.”

Throughout the rally Mads Ostberg in the M-Sport Fiesta looked like being the only man capable of challenging Ogier. But alternator trouble put him out of the running on Saturday, leaving Hirvonen to take the second step. “Second place – back to normal!” he said. “I’m happy to get my first podium of this year but Sebastien was so fast and we couldn’t match his pace. Okay, we have lots of work to do, but I’m happy we’ve finally got on the podium and taken a solid result.”

Hirvonen was pleased with second spot

Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville took third in his Fiesta, a well-deserved first podium after last season, in which plenty of things went against him.  Dani Sordo, Nasser Al Attiyah and Chris Atkinson rounded out the top six, in that order, while Ken Block achieved a career-best seventh place.

The result leaves Ogier first in the championship with 74 points, giving him a 31-point championship lead over second-place man Loeb. The gap to Hirvonen, though, currently lying third and Ogier’s nearest title rival, is a massive 44 points.

[patmahe]

The two action shots in this story are awesome, real potw contenders. It still amazes me that no-one has been able to put together a successful package of this spectacular sport for TV.

[Eric Mc]

And nobody noticed.

[Allyc85]

patmahe said:

The two action shots in this story are awesome, real potw contenders. It still amazes me that no-one has been able to put together a successful package of this spectacular sport for TV.

Tomorrow, ITV 4 5.50pm

Great win for VW, it really is looking ominous for everyone else with Citreons drivers not being quick enough and Ford doing their usual self distruction act!

[DanielSan]

Saw this picture on Facebook last night, quite a good one I think from this weekend.

[Frimley111R]

Eric Mc said:

And nobody noticed.

+1. I know WRC has been 'dead' in the UK for years but what about other countries?

[dentricrio]

Allyc85 said:

Tomorrow, ITV 4 5.50pm

Thanks for that, will make sure I catch it.

[Chris944_S2]

Frimley111R said:

Eric Mc said:

And nobody noticed.

+1. I know WRC has been 'dead' in the UK for years but what about other countries?

There's always an article about it in papers here in switzerland, even in the free "metro" style papers. The weekly sports review shows on TV also regularly feature it.

In British papers unless something unusual (and tragic) happens, WRC is ignored, not even a mention of the results.

[Amirhussain]

Didn't even know that WRC is back, its st now.

[anonymous-user]

OP, please read the forum rules!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[nickfrog]

It's a great comeback for Ogier following the frustrating time he had as the other Seb's team mate. I think he is as good as him actually.

[garypotter]

Wrc has started, but with VW polo, fiesta and cit ds !! easy to see why lack of interest in WRC.......
The rule makers shoot be shot

[C Lee Farquar]

johnfelstead said:

OP, please read the forum rules!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Agreed

[havard01]

garypotter said:

Wrc has started, but with VW polo, fiesta and cit ds !! easy to see why lack of interest in WRC.......
The rule makers shoot be shot

What cars should they use then?

[msport]

Allyc85 said:

Tomorrow, ITV 4 5.50pm

Great win for VW, it really is looking ominous for everyone else with Citreons drivers not being quick enough and Ford doing their usual self distruction act!

Thanks for making it known that this was actually going to be on TV - it feels like years since I've been able to watch - either I've completely missed it or ITV aren't bothering to let anyone know they're now showing this.
It wasn't the most exciting of rallies, but glad to be able to watch it again, and in HD!!

[breakfan]

ITV coverage also available on demand of course. Chuffed that WRC is back on telly!

https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/world-rally-champion...