Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) ended his last full season in the World Rally Championship the best way possible as he took victory in the last round of the season in Spain.
After he took the lead on Saturday morning, following Mads Ostberg's off in ES8, Loeb concluded the first day of the event with a 27-second advantage over his closest follower, Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford).
Loeb hold the pressure from Latvala on the last day, and maintained his lead until the finish.
Latvala was only seven seconds behind Loeb at the finish, and he confirms the progress he's made on tarmac.
Third position went to Mirko Hirvonen (Citroen) who concluded the event 1m46 behind his teammate Loeb. Mads Ostberg took fourth position in the rally. and dropped down to fourth position in the final championship classification behind Latvala.
Ott Tanak went off and retired with two stages remaining, while fighting for a podium finish.
Rallye of Spain – Final classification:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 4.14’29”1
2. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 7”0
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 1'46”8
4. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1’56”4
5. Nikara-Kalliolepo (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 16'07"9
6. Breen-Nagle (Ford Fiesta S2000) + 18'10”4
7. Atkinson-Prevot (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 19'14”7
8. Andersson-Axelsson (Proton Satria Neo S2000) + 20'16"1
9. Sordo-Del Barrio (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 25'40"6
10. Novikov-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 25'46”6
Etc.
Championship (final):
1. Loeb 270 points, 2. Hirvonen 213, 3. Latvala 154, 4. Ostberg 149, 5. P. Solberg 124, etc.
After he took the lead on Saturday morning, following Mads Ostberg's off in ES8, Loeb concluded the first day of the event with a 27-second advantage over his closest follower, Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford).
Loeb hold the pressure from Latvala on the last day, and maintained his lead until the finish.
Latvala was only seven seconds behind Loeb at the finish, and he confirms the progress he's made on tarmac.
Third position went to Mirko Hirvonen (Citroen) who concluded the event 1m46 behind his teammate Loeb. Mads Ostberg took fourth position in the rally. and dropped down to fourth position in the final championship classification behind Latvala.
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| Photo: WRC |
Ott Tanak went off and retired with two stages remaining, while fighting for a podium finish.
Rallye of Spain – Final classification:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 4.14’29”1
2. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 7”0
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 1'46”8
4. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1’56”4
5. Nikara-Kalliolepo (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 16'07"9
6. Breen-Nagle (Ford Fiesta S2000) + 18'10”4
7. Atkinson-Prevot (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 19'14”7
8. Andersson-Axelsson (Proton Satria Neo S2000) + 20'16"1
9. Sordo-Del Barrio (Mini Cooper Wrc) + 25'40"6
10. Novikov-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 25'46”6
Etc.
Championship (final):
1. Loeb 270 points, 2. Hirvonen 213, 3. Latvala 154, 4. Ostberg 149, 5. P. Solberg 124, etc.