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Seven-times World champion Sebastien Loeb clinched his 66th career victory on Saturday when he took his Citroen to an 8.1sec win over Finland's Ford Focus driver Jari-Matti Latvala in the Rally of Finland.
Loeb's team mate and compatriot, Sebastien Ogier, second overnight, was third, 12.8sec behind his fellow Citroen driver.
Due to the sheer number of rally champions Finland has produced it’s considered one the WRC’s most prestigious events and one Loeb, ironically, hates.
SUPERSWEEPER STILL SCORED
The dominant force in rallying had no illusions about the commitment required to win in Finland and could not make a case for the risks involved. “You have to drive at 200 percent and the risks are too big,” Loeb said before the start. “I don’t need to win for the championship, I won’t push.”
Despite running at a disadvantage on all three days of the event - first car out and “sweeping” the gravel roads for those who followed - the mercurial Frenchman still managed to triumph.
Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala was generally expected to repeat his 2010 victory but a technical error cost the Finn dearly. "We adjusted the pre-load on the rear differential and finally the car did what I wanted it... but we woke up too late to win.”"
Loeb’s greatest championship rival, Mikko Hirvonen (his home town, Jyvaskyla, hosted the event’s race HQ) desperately needed a win to keep his championship bid alive. An early crash left Hirvonen’s Fiesta with suspension and brake damage, relegating him to 36th.
The Finn then drove a succession of stupendously fast stages to finish fourth by the end and earning a crucial three bonus points for authoritatively winning the closing Power Stage. These bonus points could prove vital for Hirovenen’s championship hopes.
GLAD IT'S OVER
For Loeb the 2011 Rally of Finland win was an unexpected bonus. "It’s the most difficult rally to win and for sure I came here with the goal to score good points. For sure I wanted to win but I really didn’t care if it was the victory – it was important not to lose too many points.
"I didn’t take amazing risks, the balance was really good in the car, and I felt better in this car than the C4 before. I was able to drive on the limit without the big moments all the time."
Loeb also won in Finland in 2008 and his victory on Saturday was his fourth of the season; the others were Mexico, Sardinia and Argentina. The Frenchman now leads the World championship after eight of 13 WRC events.
Loeb's team mate and compatriot, Sebastien Ogier, second overnight, was third, 12.8sec behind his fellow Citroen driver.
Due to the sheer number of rally champions Finland has produced it’s considered one the WRC’s most prestigious events and one Loeb, ironically, hates.
SUPERSWEEPER STILL SCORED
The dominant force in rallying had no illusions about the commitment required to win in Finland and could not make a case for the risks involved. “You have to drive at 200 percent and the risks are too big,” Loeb said before the start. “I don’t need to win for the championship, I won’t push.”
Despite running at a disadvantage on all three days of the event - first car out and “sweeping” the gravel roads for those who followed - the mercurial Frenchman still managed to triumph.
Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala was generally expected to repeat his 2010 victory but a technical error cost the Finn dearly. "We adjusted the pre-load on the rear differential and finally the car did what I wanted it... but we woke up too late to win.”"
Loeb’s greatest championship rival, Mikko Hirvonen (his home town, Jyvaskyla, hosted the event’s race HQ) desperately needed a win to keep his championship bid alive. An early crash left Hirvonen’s Fiesta with suspension and brake damage, relegating him to 36th.
The Finn then drove a succession of stupendously fast stages to finish fourth by the end and earning a crucial three bonus points for authoritatively winning the closing Power Stage. These bonus points could prove vital for Hirovenen’s championship hopes.
GLAD IT'S OVER
For Loeb the 2011 Rally of Finland win was an unexpected bonus. "It’s the most difficult rally to win and for sure I came here with the goal to score good points. For sure I wanted to win but I really didn’t care if it was the victory – it was important not to lose too many points.
"I didn’t take amazing risks, the balance was really good in the car, and I felt better in this car than the C4 before. I was able to drive on the limit without the big moments all the time."
Loeb also won in Finland in 2008 and his victory on Saturday was his fourth of the season; the others were Mexico, Sardinia and Argentina. The Frenchman now leads the World championship after eight of 13 WRC events.