Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Four-time world champions – Volkswagen claims twelfth WRC title in four years at Rally Great Britain
october 31, 2016 - Volkswagen

Four-time world champions – Volkswagen claims twelfth WRC title in four years at Rally Great Britain

Sébastien Ogier led from start to finish to triumph at the Dayinsure Wales #rally GB.

The Frenchman withstood final day pressure from Ott Tänak to win the penultimate round of the FIA World #rally Championship by 10.2sec and secure the manufacturers’ title for #volkswagen.

Ogier clinched a fourth consecutive drivers’ crown at the previous round in Spain.

Thierry Neuville finished third in a Hyundai i20, a further 1min 25.2sec behind. His fourth consecutive podium gives him a 14-point advantage over Andreas Mikkelsen in their fight for the runners-up spot heading into next month’s finale in Australia.

It was Ogier’s first gravel road win of the campaign and the Frenchman has led for every single kilometre of the British fixture since the start of the 2013 #event.

The fog and mud of the first two days eased to leave better conditions today, although the six forest speed tests in north Wales, covering 52.08km, were no less slippery.

Ogier, driving a Polo R, started with a 33.8sec lead but couldn’t match Tänak’s pace. The Estonian won all six stages in a Ford Fiesta RS to close in. A broken intercom and puncture earlier in the #rally cost Tänak vital time, but second matched his career-best result.

“The main target this weekend was to be manufacturers’ champion,” said Ogier. “I’m not world champion without the team’s hard work and it was great to take the title with a victory once again. It wasn’t easy and I was able to ease off in the last few stages, but not so much.

“Ott was really flying. He was fast, very consistent and didn’t make any mistakes so it was a tough victory to get.”

Neuville overshot a hairpin this morning but the Belgian held off team-mate Hayden Paddon by 19.5sec.

The normally aggressive Kiwi struggled in the mud but overnight set-up changes made him more comfortable today.

Kris Meeke, driving a Citroën DS 3 for the final time, finished a subdued fifth with Dani Sordo completing the top six in another i20.

The championship concludes with Kennards Hire #rally Australia, which is based in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, from November 17-20.


Related news

february 14, 2024
february 12, 2024
february 09, 2024

The eagerly awaited 2024 FIA Junior WRC season kicks off this week at the legendary Rally Sweden (15 – February).Based out of the ...

The FIA Junior WRC is delighted to confirm a significant extension of its partnership with Wolf Lubricants, ensuring that the flee...

After an impressive start to the season on the opening round at Rallye Monte-Carlo, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team re-centres itsel...

You might be interested in

december 22, 2023
december 22, 2023
december 13, 2023

The 2024 Dakar Rally is just two weeks away and the towering dunes of Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter desert await those brave enough...

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team is excited to announce that Adrien Fourmaux and Alex Coria, and Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka wil...

The movie “Race for Glory”, the incredible true story behind the 1983 World Rally Championship, will be released on January 5th in...