Seven rallies, three victories and third place in the World Championship. How would you assess the first half of the season? “I’ve scored three victories, but in one event I came away emptyhanded, which cost us dearly. Overall, though, the championship’s got off to a good start. With the exception of Sardinia, we’ve always been in the running for victory. [...]
In Greece, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia scored their fifth world championship victory after a thrilling duel with their teammates, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena. This result gave Citroën its 22nd doublé in the World Rally Championship, an outright record! Thanks to their 100th podium in the WRC, Loeb and Elena have increased their lead in the Drivers’ World Championship. The Citroën Total World Rally Team too has widened the gap in the Manufacturers’ title chase.
Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson set the early pace in Greece before finishing fourth on the Acropolis Rally, round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship. Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström proved to be increasingly competitive, finally finishing in seventh overall on the event. The two Citroën DS3 WRCs entered by Van Merksteijn Motorsport retired on the opening dayof the rally.
After a long and difficult day, Sébastien Loeb / Daniel Elena and Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia are in the lead of the Acropolis Rally after closing the gap that separated them from Petter Solberg / Chris Patterson on the opening day of the rally. The Citroën Total World Rally Team crews are separated by only 2.2s, which promises another final day full of suspense during the third and last leg of the Greek round of the FIA World Rally Championship!
The first leg of the Acropolis Rally has been dominated by the Citroën DS3 WRCs, which set the six quickest time of the day. Petter Solberg took advantage of his starting position to open up a big gap over his rivals. Almost a minute behind the Norwegian come the Citroën Total World Rally Team crews who are still in contention for a podium finish. Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena are in second place while Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are lying fourth.
Greece will mark the halfway stage of the season. How would you sum up the rallies so far? “Overall, it’s been very positive. Since the start of the year, we’ve raced in six rallies and five have ended in a Citroën victory! The work done by the whole team from the first drawings of the Citroën DS3 WRC up till [...]
