Eight-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb captured victory at the Rally Monte Carlo Sunday, claiming his sixth win at this prestigious event. The Citroen driver scored full points as he also won today's Power Stage, the final timed section of the event.
The fight for victory was short lived. After Jari-Matti Latvala damaged his Ford Fiesta WRC in an accident, Loeb, out in the lead simply had to drive carefully and manage his advantage.
Dani Sordo (MINI Clubman WRC) and Petter Solberg (Ford Fiesta) battled for second place, with Sordo finally taking the second step on the podium.
Like last year, the Fords appear to be quick and able to match the pace of the Citroens. Former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg had a strong showing and performed very well on Saturday.
MINI claimed second place thanks to Sordo, but the BMW Motorsport engine is said to be a bit underpowered.
Russian Evgenly Novikov, driving a private Ford Fiesta, also drove brilliantly and took fourth place overall at the end, matching his best result in WRC.
Francois Delecour took sixth place, but finished the event in the right-hand seat today. He decided to let his co-driver Dominique Savignoni drive the Ford Fiesta. It was Delecour's way to thanks Savignoni who was contesting the last event of his career.
Frenchman Cedric Robert won the two-wheel drive category.
Final classification – Monte Carlo Rally
1. Sebastien Loeb (Citroen DS3)
2. Dani Sordo (MINI JCW) at 2m45s
3. Petter Solberg (Ford Fiesta) at 3m14s
4. Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta) at 4m06s
5. Evgenly Novikov (Ford Fiesta) at 6m03s
6. Francois Delecour (Ford Fiesta) at 7m47s
The fight for victory was short lived. After Jari-Matti Latvala damaged his Ford Fiesta WRC in an accident, Loeb, out in the lead simply had to drive carefully and manage his advantage.
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| Daniel Elena (left) and Sébastien Loeb (right) are already on top of things (Photo: Citroën Racing) |
Dani Sordo (MINI Clubman WRC) and Petter Solberg (Ford Fiesta) battled for second place, with Sordo finally taking the second step on the podium.
Like last year, the Fords appear to be quick and able to match the pace of the Citroens. Former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg had a strong showing and performed very well on Saturday.
MINI claimed second place thanks to Sordo, but the BMW Motorsport engine is said to be a bit underpowered.
Russian Evgenly Novikov, driving a private Ford Fiesta, also drove brilliantly and took fourth place overall at the end, matching his best result in WRC.
Francois Delecour took sixth place, but finished the event in the right-hand seat today. He decided to let his co-driver Dominique Savignoni drive the Ford Fiesta. It was Delecour's way to thanks Savignoni who was contesting the last event of his career.
Frenchman Cedric Robert won the two-wheel drive category.
Final classification – Monte Carlo Rally
1. Sebastien Loeb (Citroen DS3)
2. Dani Sordo (MINI JCW) at 2m45s
3. Petter Solberg (Ford Fiesta) at 3m14s
4. Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta) at 4m06s
5. Evgenly Novikov (Ford Fiesta) at 6m03s
6. Francois Delecour (Ford Fiesta) at 7m47s