Sébastien Ogier took no risks

Behind Kris Meeke, then leader and future winner of the Rally of Portugal last Sunday, the fight for second place between Sébastien Ogier and Andreas Mikkelsen crystallized all expectations during the final stage.

But a puncture in the first special of the day meant that the Volkswagen Frenchman lost the second step of the podium, who, from then on, did not want to take any risks against his teammate. “Obviously I would have liked to stay in front of Andreas, proclaimed Ogier after the finish. However, after the slow puncture on Sunday's first stage, we were forced to take a slightly more cautious approach. Without another spare tire, it would have been too risky with these road conditions. »

The Frenchman, who was unable to join Markku Alen and his five victories in the Lusitanian round, nevertheless remains solid leader of the general classification. Thanks to his success in the Power Stage, the three-time world champion now has a 47-point lead over his teammate Mikkelsen, his new runner-up in the championship.

Find the report of the Rally from Portugal, produced by our special correspondent on site, in issue 2064 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands tomorrow.