Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena overcame the odds, including a one-minute penalty on Friday, at this weekend’s Rally Argentina to take home the win despite the onslaught of Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen.
Heading into the final day of the event, Loeb’s Citroën team-mate Sebastien Ogier was the clear leader – with well over half a minute on the rest of the field. Ogier’s pace seemed to ensure him the victory, but he rolled his DS3 WRC when he misjudged the entry to a left-hand bend. Although the Frenchman managed to get it back on four wheels, the power-steering system had been damaged and there was nothing he could do as Loeb and Hirvonen closed in on him.
“After Friday’s penalty, I wasn’t counting on this victory. We pushed really hard to get back in contact with the front-runners and beat Hirvonen. Once again, the outcome was decided by a hair’s breadth,” admitted Loeb.
Hirvonen managed to stay with the Citroën duo till Sunday, but ultimately he was just off Loeb’s pace – finishing 2,4 seconds behind the defending champion. “Second was a good result after a hard weekend, which was a strange one also. I struggled on the asphalt sections and better driving there could have given me the win,” Hirvonen said.
“It was really tough. In the last stage I felt that I wouldn’t be able to hold the wheel. Without power steering, the car became incredibly heavy. We were totally unable to fight our corner," Ogier said of his experience during the final moments of his Argentina Rally.
The WRC circus is next headed for the Acropolis Rally in Greece, which returns to the calendar after its exclusion last year. The event is known for its harsh conditions, including searing temperatures, rough terrain and choking dust – and a high attrition rate. The Acropolis Rally of Greece happens from the 16-19 June.