WRC – Volkswagen keeps its head high in Monte-Carlo

Volkswagen Motorsport continues to shine at Monte-Carlo after finishing a satisfactory third. Although the day only included three stages, the team's young experience was already put to the test with changing conditions making tire choices difficult to make. Sébastien Ogier did not take any risks, the leader Sébastien Loeb being out of reach for his Polo R WRC, and consolidated his second place by maintaining a sustained pace. “The conditions on the stages of this stage were once again even more demanding than the previous days”, comments the winner of the 2009 edition. “It was the first time today that I discovered a special stage (with St Jean en Royans). In the second course (St Nazaire le Désert), we had to constantly adapt to the change in conditions. The fast downhill sections of Sisteron were also difficult. I didn't take any risks, but unfortunately I lost a little time (around 12 seconds) in a hairpin (by stalling). The choice of tires wasn't really easy today. »

After having been in difficulty in the second stage, Jari-Matti Latvala regained confidence and took advantage of the brake overheating problems of his direct rival Mikko Hirvonen to climb into fifth place with 14 seconds ahead of the Citroën driver on the way back at the Parc Fermé in Monaco. “The change in settings on the car paid off today”, assures the Finn. “I finally managed to find the confidence I needed and I now have a good feeling with my Polo R WRC. Given that I have never particularly shone at Monte in the past, my objective was and remains to finish the rally. This is the only way to gain experience, score points, and achieve a positive result. It would not be in our interest to lose patience. I am satisfied with how this day went. »

For sports director Jost Capito, the result obtained so far could not be more satisfactory. The team took no risks in setting modest targets for the first year of the Polo R WRC. “We have already achieved more in Monte-Carlo than we could have hoped for. Both crews have done a fantastic job so far. Sébastien Ogier posted the same results as in the first two stages with top times. Jari-Matti Latvala also did a very good job. When evaluating his performance, we must not forget that he covered much fewer kilometers with the Polo R WRC compared to his teammate. Jari-Matti has integrated perfectly into the team, constantly developing the car to suit his driving and following the strategy perfectly. Plus, the whole team makes a good impression. We are also on the right track from a technical point of view: the Polo R WRC is fast and reliable. This gives us even more confidence. »