The 2013 Rallye de France WRC event may still be underway but as Citroen driver Dani Sordo clinched the opening stage it all-but handed the 2013 WRC diver’s title to Volkswagen’s Sébastien Ogier.
Coming into the weekend needing just one point to secure his first WRC championship crown, Ogier would have had one eye on his closest title rival, Belgian Thierry Neuville, as the opening power stage, held around the streets of Strasburg got underway. Despite Neuville’s best efforts, however, he finished 0,7-seconds behind Spaniard Sordo. In order to prevent Frenchman Ogier from clinching the title on his home turf Neuville would have had to have taken all three championship points on offer during this stage.
In Volkswagen’s first full season in the WRC championship the team is on course to clinch the manufacturers’ title with three races remaining.
“I’m so happy!” said a delighted Ogier at the finish control. “Before the stage I was a bit confused about whether it would happen, but we’re here and we managed to do it!”
“Eight years we’ve worked for this!” added his co-driver Julien Ingrassia.
No driver or co-driver has ever been crowned World Champions whilst driving for a manufacturer making its debut in the World Rally Championship.
Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, father of VW’s WRC project and now since July 2103 Audi Board Member for Technical Development said after the victory; “I am proud that our WRC project, which we launched over two years ago, has already yielded a title today. I am particularly pleased that Volkswagen has become the first manufacturer in the history of the World Rally Championship to claim its maiden WRC title in its debut season. In my current role as Audi Board Member, I would also like to congratulate the entire Volkswagen team on behalf of Audi. With Audi winning the DTM on Sunday and the WRC title today, this is the perfect end to what, for me personally, has been my most successful week in motorsport to date.”
Ogier claims his championship crown from compatriot, and nine-time WRC champion, Sébastien Loeb. Citroen driver Loeb is completing in his final WRC event before leaving this discipline in order to lead the French manufacturer’s assault on the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship).
