For his return, Loeb finishes the first stage in Türkiye in the lead

The World Rally Championship service park (WRC) had undoubtedly begun to forget it. Now, Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai) remembered the good memories of his followers by taking charge of operations in Turkey at the end of the first stage!

The nine-time world champion, associated with Daniel Elena, did not set any scratch times this Friday, September 18, but the consistency of the Alsatian made the difference. Starting from seventh place, Sébastien Loeb hoped to take advantage of this advantageous position in one of the dustiest and most brittle events of the season.

Promising in SS1 (2nd), the pace of the n°9 was more impressive in SS2, where he managed to compensate for reduced visibility due to dust in suspension by his entry.

“Even though I couldn’t see much, I tried to stay as focused as possible, he explained. I didn't expect to be leader of the rally This evening ! » Sébastien Loeb sets a new record this evening: he becomes the oldest driver to lead a WRC rally, at 46 years, 6 months and 23 days. He beats the Finn Hannu Mikkola by 23 days!

His teammate Thierry Neuville follows him at 1”2; However, the Belgian looked like bad days. « It's the same shit every year, he criticized three times. However, we had spoken (from the dust problem. Editor’s note), but it seems like people don't want to listen to us. »

Opener, and therefore sweeper this Friday due to his status as leader in the championship, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) occupies provisional third place. Not bad at all when you have to keep track of your rivals!

The disappointment of this start to the event is to the credit ofOtt Tänak (Hyundai), never in the running on these two specials and only 7th, behind the Ford Fiesta of Teemu Suninen and Esapekka Lappi.

For his second start in the WRC class, Pierre-Louis Loubet (Hyundai) was cautious and closed the top 10, ahead of the WRC2. A category led by the French Adrien fourmaux (Ford).

The second stage will begin on Saturday September 18 at 7:50 a.m. French time.

Rally Turkey 2020 – Ranking after the first stage: