WRC Italy Summary: VW/Citroen battle for second, Ogier taking win

"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs) 06/07/2014 at 09:41 • Filed to: WRC Italy, Rally, WRC, Sardinia

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Rally Italy on the beautiful island of Sardinia just came to a close, and here's a quick summary.

Let's start with the podium fight. As suspected, VW is in a league of their own. Until yesterday, Latvala was proving his great form and was leading Ogier, while Östberg (Citroen) was trying to keep ahead of Mikkelsen for P3.

Then Latvala suffered from a tire puncture which cost him over 2 minutes, handing over the lead to his VW stablemate and losing grip on the WRC drivers championship. Still, he was in reach of Östberg who now was in P2 and subsequently tried everything to secure a double win.

So before the final stage which also is the power stage, the gap between them was a mere 16.9 seconds. It was a question of how much commitment these two would put into the last stage, whether they would attack or just try to secure their spot on the podium.

Mikkelsen was outdriven by the first 3 and couldn't keep up but kept mistake free to get a solid fourth place, but he was shining on the power stage by taking the win and 3 extra points ahead of Latvala and Ogier. Surprising considering that the power stage usually is Ogier territory. Östberg came in fifth, securing his overal P2 finish.

Behind him, Elfyn Evans in fifth leads a whole group of Fiestas (Prokop, Solberg, Kubica) and the first non-WRC car in ninth position. Kubica actually had a really good event and would have finished in fifth, but he damaged parts of his suspension and lost a lot of time. Still, he is improving, and with asphalt rallies coming up he should get even more comfortable.

Some other big names are missing, and the reason is the unforgiving nature of Rally Italy as Kris Meeke (crashed) and Hirvonen had to experience. Especially Hirvonen can't shake his bad luck, as his car spontaneously ignited between to stages and burnt to the ground. There go my Fantasy WRC points...

And Hyundai? Well, Hänninen crashed heavily and Neuville had mechanical issues with his i20 WRC. Youngster Paddon also had issues with the car but at least gained valuable experience behind a full WRC car. Not the best weekend for the newcomers from Korea in total. For detailed timing, find the full timing sheet stage by stage !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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In WRC2, Bertelli took the win behind the wheel of his Fiesta RRC, while Sebastien Chardonnet proved the potential of the brand new Citroen DS3 R5. Chardonnet is a Citroen backed driver and an incredible talent who could in the future see action behind the wheel of the big WRC Citroens. Maybe he's the young, fast driver the French need to get back on the winning tracks after the end of the Loeb era.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 06/08/2014 at 12:13

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I'm really surprised Ogier came back for the win. Do you have the link to Google results doc?

Hoccy > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 06/08/2014 at 12:52

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I feel so sad for Hirvonen, he had just changed his tires so any leaking fluids would be easy to spot.. And so early in the rally.. Good rally from Østberg and Mikkelsen though, I have a feeling they will fight for rally wins later this season.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Hoccy 06/09/2014 at 08:13

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Mikkelsen for sure has got the car for wins, not sure about Östberg. Maybe on tarmac, but that's not his favourite surface - I count on Meeke there (like I do everytime, and yet he always disappoints me).

Hoccy > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 06/09/2014 at 14:43

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The car is good enough, it won events in last years configuration. Once Meeke finds out how to finish a rally without spending too much time in the service park it will be a very good team, with potential to beat the VW's in some rallies.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Hoccy 06/09/2014 at 14:45

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Well, it won events because of Loeb and when VW crashed out in Germany, leaving the way open for Sordo, a tarmac ace.

Still, if any car is capable of beating VW than it must be the DS3, you are right about that. And a crash free Meeke would be a dream of mine come true.