WRC

Infographics. A 2018 season as exciting as ever

After 11 rounds, the World Rally Championship has never been so close since 2007 and 2011.

Published on 16/10/2018 à 14:46

Bernard

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Infographics. A 2018 season as exciting as ever

Before Rally of Great Britain (Wales Rally GB to stick to the official name), we offered you three infographics, allowing you to understand how The 2018 World Rally Championship (WRC) season was the most indecisive of the decade. A few weeks later, and two rounds before the outcome, let's update the statistics.

 

 

First observation, Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford) comes back strong, very strong even. We left the Frenchman dejected after his setbacks in Turkey (unfinished stage, mechanical breakdown, off-track) when he was able to regain ground at Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). But his victory in Wales, the fifth on these muddy roads, puts him back on his feet, he who had no longer raised his arms since the Tour de Corse in April.

Returning to second place in the general classification, the five-time world champion took the opportunity to put back in his place Ott Tänak (Toyota). The latter remained on a remarkable series of three consecutive successes, but that was without counting on a terrible mechanical breakdown on Saturday afternoon, while he was dominating the proceedings.

 

His collapsed behavior, spending long minutes lying on the side of the road, is one of the great images of the season. Ott Tänak knows his comeback has suffered a setback. However, it is impossible to rule him out of the title race. The placid Estonian is only 21 points behind leader Thierry Neuville. It's not much, but with two events to follow, he must finish ahead of the Hyundai in Catalonia (Spain) if he wants to prolong the suspense.

Leading from Portugal, Thierry Neuville has adopted an intelligent strategy since the summer break. Do not attack too much, en keep under control to manage your accounting advance. This is clearly visible in this table, since since Finland, the Belgian's progression curve has slowed down.

It is the first time in 2018 that Thierry Neuville is so little ahead of Sébastien Ogier : seven units. There remains a maximum of 60 points to be awarded (25×2 + 5×2 with the points from the Power Stage), so nothing is decided.

As in 2011 and 2007
The gap between the top three men in the general classification narrowed from 23 to 21 points after Rally Great Britain. It stays below the gain of a success (25 units), Thierry Neuville, Sébastien Ogier and Ott Tänak can therefore each hope to leave Catalonia at the top of the world! This indecision is similar to the 2011 and 2007 seasons.

 

 

In 2011, Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier had delivered themselves a fratricidal duel at Citroën, ultimately causing the departure of the rising star to reinforce the leadership of the oldest Sébastien. After the Alsace Rally, Sébastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen jointly led the championship, with Sébastien Ogier (winner in France) back to within three points with two events remaining.

The trio exploded after the abandonment of the still inexperienced Sébastien Ogier in Catalonia. Sébastien Loeb won the fight, helped by Mikko Hirvonen's accident on the first day of the final round.

 

 

In 2007, the top 3 were separated by… 21 points! But be careful, let's remember that at the time, it was another scale which was in place (10 points for the winner, then 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point). Even though Mikko Hirvonen was sailing in third place, he was more than two victories behind...

The Homeric duel mainly pitted Sébastien Loeb against Marcus Grönholm. A tone above the rest of the peloton, the Citroën and the Ford have been walking on a tightrope all year long. In New Zealand, the venue for the 11th meeting, the Finn beat the Frenchman by three hundredths, which was then the smallest gap recorded for the WRC victory.

 

Major difference between the 2018, 2011 and 2007 seasons, the 2007 campaign included 16 rounds, where there were "only" 13 in 2018 and 2011. Funny fact, two rounds from the end of the 2007 year, the gap between the top 3 was still 21 points!

Conclusion
The small gap between the top 3 of the 2018 season before the Rally of Catalonia is unprecedented since 2011. The current campaign is still in line with exceptional years like 2011, 2007 or 2003, enough to make the next round (25-28 October) unmissable! The Catalonia Rally will also be followed in real time with live text from AUTOhebdo.fr.

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