One Seb can hide another

Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb started this very last day without any real pressure. Taking advantage of the technical problems of the two official Fords, the Citroën DS3 WRC could largely manage their lead. In the end, Sébastien Ogier signs his second consecutive victory on the rally of Portugal with 31”8 ahead of Sébastien Loeb and 3’22’1 over the Ford of Jari-Matti Latvala. “I am very happy with this perfect weekend, explains the Gapençais. I want to dedicate this victory to the whole team because they prepared a perfect car and put their trust in me again after my mistake in Mexico. This is the best way to come back. »

Anxious not to make the same blunder as his teammate in Mexico, Sébastien Loeb decided this morning to abandon his ambitions for victory. Second and winner of the Power Stage, the Alsatian has plenty of points. He comes back to the level of Mikko Hirvonen in the world championship (58 points). " I am really happy, notes the seven-time world champion. When I saw the rain this morning, I didn't think I could be fast, but the conditions weren't that bad. I told myself I had to try. »

However, keeping pace with the Citroën DS3s at the start of the rally, the two Ford Fiestas were not spared from the problems. Jari-Matti Latvala completes the podium, just ahead of Mikko Hirvonen who barely manages to recover 4th place from Matthew Wilson during the Power Stage. Petter Solberg and Kimi Räikkönen take 6th and 7th positions overall.

Find the full report of the Portugal rally in AUTOhebdo, on sale from Wednesday on all newsstands.