The Citroën Total World Rally Team walked away with its third one-two finish of the season at this weekend’s rally in Germany, after the 27-year old Frenchman Sébastien Ogier managed to become the first driver to beat Sébastien Loeb on an all-tarmac rally since 2004.
The Citroën driver completed the 19 stages in three hours 32 minutes and 15,9 seconds (39,8 seconds ahead of his team-mate Loeb) ending the seven-time world champion’s run of eight straight victories in Germany. With this victory Citroën also clinched its 78th success in WRC, becoming the manufacturer with the highest number of wins in the sport.
Ogier started the final day ahead of his team-mate after Loeb experienced a puncture in the closing stages of day two. Thick clouds loomed and the Citroën mechanics changed the suspension settings and fitted Michelin Pilot Sport soft tyres on the two works DS3s, enabling their drivers to make the most of the questionable conditions.
“We made the right choice,” said Ogier. “I stayed in the middle of the road and did not cut the apexes to avoid punctures. We were nursing our lead while trying to stay concentrated. I have to say that there was no way that victory in this rally was a foregone conclusion as I was up against Seb (Loeb) who has never lost in Germany and is always very quick on tarmac. I’m absolutely delighted with this win as we’ve proved that we’re quick on this surface. It’s boosted our motivation for the end of the championship,” concluded Ogier.
As a result, Ogier moves ahead of Mikko Hirvonen and into second place in the championship standings, albeit 25 points behind Loeb.
Loeb did manage to win the final super-special stage, which awards extra points. “No worries. I’m just happy to drive,” added Loeb. “As it looked like the rain was going to continue we were going to keep the soft rubber for the second loop and the super-special stage.” Loeb set the quickest time in stages 17 and 18 and was concentrating all his attention on the final stage that awards bonus points.
“After my eight wins in Germany on the trot, there’s no way I can be pleased with second place,” said Loeb. “I’ve been saying for the past few years that this series would come to an end – and it has! We were unlucky but that’s racing. My second place and the points from the power stage mean that we still have a championship victory in hand,” Loeb concluded.
Dani Sordo (Mini) finished third ahead of Ford’s Hirvonen and Petter Solberg in a private Citroën. Kimi Raikkonen, also in a privately run Citroën, finished sixth.
The next round of the season heads down under for Rally Australia, and the event starts on Thursday 8 September, to finish on Sunday 11.