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23rd
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From WRC.com
Sebastien Ogier claimed his fourth World Rally Championship victory of the season today after leading Rally Italia Sardegna from start to finish in a Volkswagen Polo R.
The Frenchman won round seven of 13 on the Mediterranean island by 1min 16.8sec from Thierry Neuville, who claimed a career-best result in a Ford Fiesta RS. Jari-Matti Latvala completed the podium in a Polo R.
Ogier was the class of the field throughout the two-day rally, covering 304.50km of dusty gravel tracks. The Frenchman ended the first leg with a 46.6sec lead, extending it this morning before cruising home. He claimed maximum bonus points in the penultimate Power Stage, too, and his series lead is now 64 points.
Neuville took his second consecutive podium. Stiffening the set-up and adjusting the brakes in his Fiesta RS transformed its handling and he climbed from sixth to end yesterday in third, hot on the heels of Mikko Hirvonen.
When Hirvonen went off the road in SS10, the pressure was off and the Belgian eased home - despite a bizarre last stage drama.
Latvala's rally began perfectly with victory in Thursday's qualifying stage. However, his hopes were shattered in the opening test when he punctured the front left tyre after just 8km. He lost almost two minutes and lay 12th.
He was fifth last night and his recovery was complete when he climbed to third following Hirvonen's demise and a mistake from the under-pressure Dani Sordo. The Finn finished 31.2sec behind Neuville and 1min 31.2sec clear of Sordo.
It seemed unlikely Sordo would resist Latvala's challenge, but a spin sealed his fate. With Citroen team-mate Hirvonen stranded in a ditch, the Spaniard was under firm instructions to come home safely and net vital manufacturers' points.
Robert Kubica (Citroën DS3 RRC) took 9th position overall, and his second WRC2 victory in a row.
Final classification:
1. Ogier-Ingrassia (VW Polo Wrc) in 3.22'57”9
2. Neuville-Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1'16”8
3. Latvala-Anttila (VW Polo Wrc) + 1'48”0
4. Sordo-Del Barrio (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 3'19”2
5. Prokop-Ernst (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 8'34”1
6. Evans-Bernacchini (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 11'51”8
7. Kosciuszko-Szczepaniak (Ford Fiesta RSWrc) + 11'52”7
8. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 13'21”5
9. Kubica-Baran (Citroen DS3 Super2000) + 16'47”6
10. Al Qassimi-Scott (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 17'19”9
Etc.
Championship:
Ogier 154 points, 2. Latvala 90, 3. Neuville 70, 4. Loeb 68, 5. Hirvonen 61, etc.
Sebastien Ogier claimed his fourth World Rally Championship victory of the season today after leading Rally Italia Sardegna from start to finish in a Volkswagen Polo R.
The Frenchman won round seven of 13 on the Mediterranean island by 1min 16.8sec from Thierry Neuville, who claimed a career-best result in a Ford Fiesta RS. Jari-Matti Latvala completed the podium in a Polo R.
Ogier was the class of the field throughout the two-day rally, covering 304.50km of dusty gravel tracks. The Frenchman ended the first leg with a 46.6sec lead, extending it this morning before cruising home. He claimed maximum bonus points in the penultimate Power Stage, too, and his series lead is now 64 points.
Neuville took his second consecutive podium. Stiffening the set-up and adjusting the brakes in his Fiesta RS transformed its handling and he climbed from sixth to end yesterday in third, hot on the heels of Mikko Hirvonen.
When Hirvonen went off the road in SS10, the pressure was off and the Belgian eased home - despite a bizarre last stage drama.
Latvala's rally began perfectly with victory in Thursday's qualifying stage. However, his hopes were shattered in the opening test when he punctured the front left tyre after just 8km. He lost almost two minutes and lay 12th.
He was fifth last night and his recovery was complete when he climbed to third following Hirvonen's demise and a mistake from the under-pressure Dani Sordo. The Finn finished 31.2sec behind Neuville and 1min 31.2sec clear of Sordo.
It seemed unlikely Sordo would resist Latvala's challenge, but a spin sealed his fate. With Citroen team-mate Hirvonen stranded in a ditch, the Spaniard was under firm instructions to come home safely and net vital manufacturers' points.
Robert Kubica (Citroën DS3 RRC) took 9th position overall, and his second WRC2 victory in a row.
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| Sébastien Ogier lifting the winner's trophy (Photo: VW Motorsport) |
Final classification:
1. Ogier-Ingrassia (VW Polo Wrc) in 3.22'57”9
2. Neuville-Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1'16”8
3. Latvala-Anttila (VW Polo Wrc) + 1'48”0
4. Sordo-Del Barrio (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 3'19”2
5. Prokop-Ernst (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 8'34”1
6. Evans-Bernacchini (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 11'51”8
7. Kosciuszko-Szczepaniak (Ford Fiesta RSWrc) + 11'52”7
8. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 13'21”5
9. Kubica-Baran (Citroen DS3 Super2000) + 16'47”6
10. Al Qassimi-Scott (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 17'19”9
Etc.
Championship:
Ogier 154 points, 2. Latvala 90, 3. Neuville 70, 4. Loeb 68, 5. Hirvonen 61, etc.