He shared a throne with Sebastien Loeb, but now he is the only ‘king’ in the Rally Mexico. Sebastien Ogier has scored his seventh victory in the American event, which makes him the ‘recordman’ after breaking the tie for the number of wins with his namesake. Three tests held this season, and two victories for the ‘semi-retired’ Frenchman, who has also taken the lead in the World Cup.
Since the abandonment of Esapekka Lappi Ogier has dedicated himself to managing his advantage over the rest. He has managed to stay in the lead without incurring excessive risks and has reached the top step of the León podium without setbacks and even winning the final Power Stage and its extra points. “The car was great and it was an impeccable weekend for us and the team,” he stated as soon as he passed the finish line. “As I will do the next rally in Croatia, it is important to get out there first on the road and it was also important to score points for the team. I’m proud”.
After the Frenchman, there was an exciting duel for second place between Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans, which in the end went to the Belgian by only 4 tenths. They have spent the weekend fighting ‘knife’ and the Belgian has given everything in the final stretch to ‘steal the wallet’ in the ‘photo finish’.
Fourth has been a Kalle Rovanpera who is not showing himself as superior as last season, but who remains in the fight for the title. Right behind him was Dani Sordo who, after the puncture that dropped him from the fight for the podium, limited himself to saving the furniture and some important points for Hyundai.
Next stop in Croatia, back on asphalt. From April 20 to 23, the fourth round of the World Cup will be held on the roads around Zagreb, in which it is not yet known if Sordo will attend.
Classification
1. Ogier-Landais (Fra/Toyota), 3h 16m 9.4s
2. Neuville-Wydaeghe (Bel/Hyundai), at 27.5
3. Evans-Martin (Gbr/Toyota), at 27.9
4. Rovanpera-Halttunen (Fin/Toyota), at 1:55.3
5. Sordo-Carrera (Esp/Hyundai), at 2:58.8
Drivers World Cup
1. Sebastien Ogier, 56 points
2.Thierry Neuville, 53
3. Kalle Rovanpera, 52
4.Ott Tanak, 47
5. Elfyn Evans, 44
7. Dani Sordo, 17