WRC – Victory for Ogier, title for Volkswagen

Le Rally of Australia saw Volkswagen regain its colors after its rout in Germany. Sébastien Ogier takes another step towards the title by signing his sixth victory of the season, the 22nd of his career, by winning with less than seven seconds ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala who limited his delay by winning the Power Stage in front of his rival. “We had to go for this victory because Jari-Matti fought well. We knew how to attack at the right time and slow down when things were tricky », commented the winner who now has a 50-point lead over the Finn with three events remaining in the season.

Volkswagen wins the Manufacturers' title for the second consecutive year in style as the German team signs its first treble in WRC thanks to Andreas Mikkelsen who finished just under half a minute ahead of Kris Meeke. Despite his one minute penalty, the Citroën Driver is satisfied with his weekend which he finished in fourth place by scoring a bonus point in the last special. “I achieved my best performance. We still have work to do but I have obtained the best result currently within our reach. »

Mikko Hirvonen complète le top cinq avec dix secondes de retard sur la DS3 WRC. Le triple vainqueur du Rallye d’Australie termine avec une minute d’avance sur la Hyundai d’Hayden Paddon, celle de Thierry Neuville next in seventh position. Elfyn Evans follows in eighth place ahead of Robert Kubica and Chris Atkinson. Mads Ostberg was in sixth position before losing around ten minutes in Bucca (SS19) due to a damaged suspension for an unknown reason. Note that no WRC crew retired during the three stages.

Nasser Al-Attiyah is back in the race for the WRC2 title by securing his third victory of the season after Portugal and Argentina ahead of Jari Ketomaa and Yuriy Protasov. The Qatari took advantage of the retirement of Yazeed Al-Rajhi who pierced his radiator in Bucca (SS16). Ott Tänak was hospitalized as a precaution following a violent exit from the road which ended in a rollover in Bucca (SS19) while the Estonian was in fifth place. This accident will not prevent Drive Dmack from celebrating its WRC2 Teams title.

The videos of the Rally Australia can be found on this link. Photos are available here.

Discover the analysis of the Rally Australia carried out by our special correspondents in issue 1978 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.