Finns fear Germany

Le Rally from Germany, which offers an asphalt surface, is not the favorite playground of the Focus RS WRC. Mikko Hirvonen has never finished better than third (in 2007) and Jari-Matti Latvala's best result was a mediocre eighth place (obtained the same year). Further behind this season, and having been light years ahead of the C4 WRC in Bulgaria where the surface is similar, Ford knows that this weekend could be difficult.

It will be even more so since, if the two Ford drivers drove at home during the last event, it is not wrong to say that it will be the same this weekend for Sébastien Loeb. Close to Alsace, the birthplace of the six-time World Champion, the Citroën driver is right at home on the asphalt roads not far from the French border. He left nothing to his competitors on this terrain where he has monopolized the victories since this event was included in the WRC calendar.

The Alsatian now has seven consecutive victories in Germany. And unlike Finland, where the Championship leader announced that he would be content to secure the points, letting his opponents fight for victory, he will do everything he can this weekend to improve his record. and add an eighth consecutive victory to his record.

Sébastien Loeb also admitted to being more wary of other Citroën drivers than of Ford drivers. Dani Sordo, who changed co-driver by replacing Marc Marti with Diego Vallejo, will be on his favorite surface and will be ready to take advantage of the slightest mistake from the Frenchman. Her " greatest adversary » Sébastien Ogier, will also seek to put pressure on the Championship leader.

The Finns are not as optimistic about their chances of being able to follow the World Champion, and only hope to improve their results in this event. Mikko Hirvonen would like to climb onto the podium, if the weather remains dry, while his teammate and compatriot would be satisfied with a finish in the top five.