“Monte” victory! Dream start to the WRC for Ogier and Volkswagen
- Volkswagen triumphs at opening round of the WRC in Monte Carlo
- Defending champions Ogier/Ingrassia claim second “Monte” win of their careers
- All three Polo R WRCs in the points at the iconic rally
Triumph at the Rally Monte Carlo – Volkswagen opened the new season of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with a dream result. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) produced an irresistible fightback and an outstanding driving display to secure victory on the first weekend of the 2014 season. The success at the “Monte” is their 17th victory in the WRC, and their tenth with Volkswagen. The win was the duo’s second at the rally classic, having previously won in 2009 when the event in the Mediterranean principality did not form part of the world championship. Second place went to Ford driver Bryan Bouffier, who won here in 2011, with Citroën’s Kris Meeke taking third.
The competitors at the notorious “Monte”, also known as “The Unpredictable One”, faced extremely difficult weather and road conditions. Rain in the valleys, snow at altitude – as has often been the case in the past, tyre selection was the decisive factor at the “Monte”. Volkswagen ended the classic with all three Polo R WRCs in the points. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) picked up valuable points in fifth and seventh place respectively.
Typical “Monte” – tricky tyre selection makes for excitement, weather for chaos
The sudden onset of winter in the French Maritime Alps and heavy rain in the valleys – the start of the Rally Monte Carlo literally caught everyone cold. Based on the weather data available, the Volkswagen drivers opted for virtually tread-free slicks for the first three special stages of the “Monte”. With the shock arrival of snow in the principality, this made driving a real challenge. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and their team-mates lost a lot of time in these conditions. The World Champions found themselves back in ninth place. They showed their undoubted class from the fifth stage onwards, however, finishing consistently in the top-three from then on in and winning seven special stages. By the midway point of the “Monte” they had moved into the lead and never looked back.
Weather conditions were so extreme that the 14th special stage of the Rally Monte Carlo had to be cancelled. So much snow fell on the notorious Col de Turini between the first and second loop on Saturdaythat the second run had to be neutralised, with some World Rally Cars stuck in the snow.
The comeback kid: Jari-Matti Latvala and the double fightback
Sébastien Ogier’s team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila twice thrilled fans at the Rally Monte Carlo with a remarkable comeback. On the Friday of the rally, “JML” fought his way back from 18th to seventh place overall. He then climbed another position on Saturday, before a puncture saw him drop back down the field. However, he had battled back from eighth to fifth by the end of the day. Latvala/Anttila were in the top-three on eight of the special stages at the “Monte”, clocking the fastest time on three occasions.
Points reward for “Monte” trainee Mikkelsen
Lessons learned, points scored – Andreas Mikkelsen’s first outing in a World Rally Car at the Rally Monte Carlo was rewarded with six World Championship points. Together with co-driver Mikko Markkula, Mikkelsen showed the necessary caution on all 14 special stages. However, even that was not enough on the tenth stage: on slicks at the time, Mikkelsen/Markkula slid slowly off the snow-covered road in a slow corner between Sisteron and Thoard. Despite losing a lot of time they were able to continue, with the help of the fans, and capitalised with a series of top times on the final day.
Bonus points for Latvala/Anttila and Ogier/Ingrassia on the Power Stage
Three extra points for Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila, and two bonus points for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia – Volkswagen claimed a one-two on the Power Stage. Five of the six bonus points up for grabs on the Power Stage – the final stage of a rally, on which points are awarded to the top three cars – went the way of the manufacturer from Wolfsburg.
Dream start: Ogier/Ingrassia and Volkswagen lead the World Championship
Victory at the first rally of the year and two bonus points on the Power Stage mean the reigning World Champions lead the WRC after the opening act of 2014. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia leave their home rally with 27 points to their name, while Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila are fourth with 13 points, courtesy of their Power Stage victory. Volkswagen also holds an early lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship: 37 points went to Wolfsburg, 33 to Citroën.
FIA Rally World Championship (WRC),
Rally Monte Carlo – Final Results
1. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), Volkswagen 3h 55m 14.4s
2. Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (F/F), Ford + 1m 18.9s
3. Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (GB/IRL), Citroën + 1m 54.3s
4. Mads Østberg/Jonas Andersson (N/S), Citroën + 3m 53.9s
5. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN), Volkswagen + 6m 08.3s
6. Elfyn Evans/Daniel Barritt (GB/GB), Ford + 8m 37.4s
7. Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN), Volkswagen + 11m 42.3s
8. Jaroslav Melichárek/Erik Melichárek (SK/SK), Ford + 21m 56.2s
9. Matteo Gamba/Nicola Arena (I/I), Peugeot + 23m 50.7s
10. Yuriy Protasov/Pavlo Cherepin (UA/UA), Ford + 25m 43.1s
FIA Rally World Championship (WRC),
Rally Monte Carlo – Power Stage Results
1. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN), Volkswagen 10m 41.5s
2. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), Volkswagen + 0.2s
3. Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (GB/IRL), Citroën + 4.9s
FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Overall Standings
Drivers' Championship points
1. Sébastien Ogier 27
2. Bryan Bouffier 18
3. Kris Meeke 16
4. Jari-Matti Latvala 13
5. Mads Østberg 12
6. Elfyn Evans 8
7. Andreas Mikkelsen 6
8. Jaroslav Melichárek 4
9. Matteo Gamba 2
10. Yuriy Protasov 1
Manufacturers' Championship points
1. Volkswagen Motorsport 37
2. Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT 33
3. M-Sport Ltd. 10
4. Volkswagen Motorsport II
source: VW WRC official press release
Nice cars.
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