Loeb leads the Azores Rally!

With 5 special stages and 39,42 km the first stage of the 57^e Rally of the Azores was a simple introduction. It turned out to be easier than expected with weather that was less bad than feared. The fog which had disrupted the reconnaissance having in fact dissipated, the competitors were fully able to express themselves.

Although discovering the terrain and the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, Sébastien Loeb immediately took the lead. Then achieving 3 other best times, notably winning the two passages in the iconic Sete Citades, the Frenchman built up a lead of 15″8 which fell to 15″1 with the scratch of Andreas Mikkelsen in the final section of the day .

« Everything went very well, smiled Seb who was able to measure his level of notoriety in the middle of the Atlantic. The car ran great. Its chassis is truly excellent. We didn't make a mistake and Laurène didn't tell me too much nonsense... (laugh) "

At the end of this perfect day, the only “worry” that seemed to bother Loeb concerned his position on the road on Saturday as well as the tire quota. “ By returning as leaders this evening, we will have to open the road tomorrowhe explained. If we had only had a 2 second margin, I might have tried to lose time to let Andreas go first. With 15s, I did not want to enter into this type of calculation. We're here to have fun, so maybe we have to push hard to keep the lead. The pneumatic parameter must be taken into account. If the Michelins worked really well today, we only have 6 to finish the rally so it will be fair. » The tires of the Fabia N°1 were indeed well worn at the end of a stage of not even 40 km. The mileage will be greater on Saturday and the French crew will have to sweep, which should put even more strain on the tires.

First^e stage includes 7 special stages which represents 69,90 km timed with a first SS from 11:38 a.m. in France.

Ranking of the Azores Rally after the first stage

ALSO READ > Sébastien Loeb about the Azores: “A varied and difficult route”