From wrc.com
Sebastien Loeb cancelled out an overnight deficit of 47.7s to Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier to win Rally Argentina for the sixth time in a tense finish shown live on television throughout the world.
Sebastien Ogier appeared to be in control with four stages left to run only to roll on the day’s first stage. He was able to complete the run with the fifth fastest time but his lead had been trimmed to 21.5s. Of greater significance, however, was the damage he’d inflicted on his Citroen DS3 WRC, which included the loss of power steering.
With three stages before the finish and no service, Ogier was unable to prevent further time loss. Despite starting the event-closing Power Stage 3.3s up on Loeb, he slipped to third in the overall classification, 7.3s behind winner Loeb and 4.9s down on Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen, who also moved ahead on the 3.90-kilometre test.
Hirvonen started the final morning in second position in his Fiesta RS WRC but slipped behind Loeb on stage 16. However, he was able to recapture the runner-up spot when he moved ahead of Ogier on the final stage.
Ogier had been on course for his third victory of 2011 at the start of the day only to roll after taking a deep cut through a corner on Sunday’s opening test. The dejected Frenchman said his car had been “impossible to drive” afterwards.
Petter Solberg made up for the disappointment of his power steering failure on Saturday afternoon, which cost him a shot at victory, by claiming his first Power Stage win of the season to finish in fourth overall in his privateer DS3 WRC and earn three bonus points.
Mads Ostberg claimed fifth place in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta on his Rally Argentina debut. “I’m very happy because my aim was to be sixth but now I am fifth and I’ve got good experience for the next time I come here,” said the Norwegian.
Federico Villagra was the top Argentine driver in sixth overall despite brake troubles hampering his Munchi’s Fiesta over the closing stages.
Final classification:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 4h03’56”9
2. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 2”4
3. Ogier-Ingrassia (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 7”3
4. P. Solberg-Patterson (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 3’12”6
5. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 5’16”8
6. Villagra-Perez Companc (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 6’48”5
7. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 13’04”5
8. Wilson-Martin (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 13’32”7
9. Paddon-Kennard (Subaru Impreza STi) + 25’43”8
10. Flodin-Andersson (Subaru Impreza STi) + 33’34”2
Etc.
Championship:
1. Loeb 126 points, 2. Hirvonen 113, 3. Ogier 96, 4. Latvala 74, 5. P.Solberg 61, 6. Ostberg 48, 7. M. Wilson 28, 8. Villagra 20, 9. Raikkonen 18, 10. H. Solberg 10, etc.
Sebastien Loeb cancelled out an overnight deficit of 47.7s to Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier to win Rally Argentina for the sixth time in a tense finish shown live on television throughout the world.
Sebastien Ogier appeared to be in control with four stages left to run only to roll on the day’s first stage. He was able to complete the run with the fifth fastest time but his lead had been trimmed to 21.5s. Of greater significance, however, was the damage he’d inflicted on his Citroen DS3 WRC, which included the loss of power steering.
With three stages before the finish and no service, Ogier was unable to prevent further time loss. Despite starting the event-closing Power Stage 3.3s up on Loeb, he slipped to third in the overall classification, 7.3s behind winner Loeb and 4.9s down on Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen, who also moved ahead on the 3.90-kilometre test.
Hirvonen started the final morning in second position in his Fiesta RS WRC but slipped behind Loeb on stage 16. However, he was able to recapture the runner-up spot when he moved ahead of Ogier on the final stage.
Ogier had been on course for his third victory of 2011 at the start of the day only to roll after taking a deep cut through a corner on Sunday’s opening test. The dejected Frenchman said his car had been “impossible to drive” afterwards.
Petter Solberg made up for the disappointment of his power steering failure on Saturday afternoon, which cost him a shot at victory, by claiming his first Power Stage win of the season to finish in fourth overall in his privateer DS3 WRC and earn three bonus points.
Mads Ostberg claimed fifth place in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta on his Rally Argentina debut. “I’m very happy because my aim was to be sixth but now I am fifth and I’ve got good experience for the next time I come here,” said the Norwegian.
Federico Villagra was the top Argentine driver in sixth overall despite brake troubles hampering his Munchi’s Fiesta over the closing stages.
Final classification:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 4h03’56”9
2. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 2”4
3. Ogier-Ingrassia (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 7”3
4. P. Solberg-Patterson (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 3’12”6
5. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 5’16”8
6. Villagra-Perez Companc (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 6’48”5
7. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 13’04”5
8. Wilson-Martin (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 13’32”7
9. Paddon-Kennard (Subaru Impreza STi) + 25’43”8
10. Flodin-Andersson (Subaru Impreza STi) + 33’34”2
Etc.
Championship:
1. Loeb 126 points, 2. Hirvonen 113, 3. Ogier 96, 4. Latvala 74, 5. P.Solberg 61, 6. Ostberg 48, 7. M. Wilson 28, 8. Villagra 20, 9. Raikkonen 18, 10. H. Solberg 10, etc.