Coffs Harbour (NSW), 15 Sept 2013: The Volkswagen Motorsport crew of Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia came within moments of sealing the FIA World Rally Championship title in Australia today, denied the crown as Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul climbed into second position in the final stage when Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen had a puncture and dropped to third, providing one of the most thrilling finishes this season, an FIA release said.

In the FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers, Ogier has missed claiming the title by just one point, setting the scene for an epic battle on the next round in France when fellow countryman and reigning World Champion Sébastien Loeb will be back in the seat of the Citroën DS3 WRC. The fight for the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers also continues but Volkswagen Motorsport has increased its lead over the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team following the retirement of Kris Meeke after the final stage this afternoon.

Today’s competition took in two identical loops of three stages covering 125.14 competitive kilometres, the final run through ‘Shipmans’ counting as the Power Stage where additional Championship points are awarded to the fastest three drivers in this single stage. And it was here that the drama unfolded, and it was Neuville’s second position in the rally as well as the Power Stage that denied Ogier of his first world title. The Frenchman nevertheless claimed his 13th World Rally victory and sixth this season. Behind the dramatic turn of events in the final stage, fourth was claimed by Jari-Matti Latvala, the Finn also losing time with a puncture in the final stage, and fifth was taken by Mads Østberg, the Norwegian moving ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen in the first stage of the day. Evgeny Novikov finished seventh ahead of local hero Nathan Quinn. Kris Meeke, who rolled on Saturday, restarted this morning under Rally 2 regulations but damaged rear suspension in the final stage saw him ultimately unable to return to the finish in Coffs Harbour.

The 11th round of the FIA World Rally Championship takes the contenders back to Europe for Rallye de France Alsace (3-6 October). Here, nine-time World Rally Champions Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena will re-join the series for their final outing in the Championship.

Rally Australia – Final Unofficial Classification (subject to scrutineering)

FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers (after 10 of 13 rounds)

FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers (after 10 of 13 rounds)

New South Wales, 13 Sept 2013: Eight special stages, seven best times – the Volkswagen factory duo Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) have made their mark on round ten of the FIA World Rally Championship in Australia. The pair, who are leading the WRC Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ Championship, won almost every single Special Stage on Friday, giving them a 20.0-second lead over their closest rival, Mikko Hirvonen (Citroën), who has won the Rally Australia three times. Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) have secured fifth place in the overall standings one third of the way into the event, despite starting from an unfavourable position. As one of the first World Rally Cars to tackle the Special Stages, they cleared all the loose dust and gravel off the track. Andreas Mikkelsen/Paul Nagle (N/IRL) finished the first 94.54 kilometres of 352.36-kilometre time trials in seventh position in the overall standings, according to a Volkswagen Press Release.

Saturday is the longest day at the Rally Australia. The teams will cover another 132.68 kilometres in the course of six Stages, including completing “Nambucca” twice which, at 49.90 kilometres, is the longest Special Stage in round ten.

Quotes following day two of the Rally Australia

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“We’ve set ourselves the goal of playing it safe and primarily collecting points for the Manufacturers’ Championship and we’re on course to do that at the moment. Our early starting position this morning certainly didn’t give us an advantage – it was very slippery and we had to clear the track for the cars behind us. The afternoon went better; we worked our way up from eight to fifth position, which will give us a better starting position on Saturday. Saturday could prove crucial for the rally: the Nambucca Stage is almost 50 kilometres long, so everyone will have to pay close attention to their tyres.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“It was a perfect day for us – a really good start to the rally. This morning’s Stages were incredibly slippery, so we had to be really careful. There was a lot of loose gravel on the tracks, which made it difficult to find a good line. That’s why we didn’t go all out to attack because we really didn’t want to crash out of the rally early on because of some stupid mistake. The grip level was much better this afternoon, so Julien and I had loads of fun in the Polo R WRC. I’d like to say a special thank-you to the organisers for extending the starting interval to four minutes because the rally cars in front were throwing up an incredible amount of dust. All bets are off tomorrow because the weather experts are forecasting rain tonight.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
“It was a really eventful day for us. Things went very well on the loop this morning until we came to a point where our pace notes were too optimistic. The track went over a blind crest then into a left-hand bend which tightened – more so than I expected. Luckily, there was a lane branching off so I could turn off towards the emergency exit. Then we sat there, virtually blinded by dust. We had to wait for it to clear before we could keep going. This afternoon brought another scary moment, when I broadsided a bank. After that, it felt like the car had a slow puncture. Luckily, it didn’t. All in all, we’re nevertheless pleased with what we achieved. But the rally is far from over.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“It was a good, very successful day for Volkswagen at the Rally Australia. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia were on top form today – they couldn’t have been better. Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila also made the most of their opportunities, although they had to cope with clearing the track as one of the first World Rally Cars today after a disappointing qualifying. With that in mind, fifth place in the overall standings is a really good result. Andreas Mikkelsen and Paul Nagle also performed well in the Special Stages today. All in all, we’re satisfied with the first third of the event Down Under. But all of the competitors will face tough challenges in the next two days. We need absolute concentration right to the very end and the whole team will have to work hard without making any mistakes.”

And then there was …
… Miikka Anttila’s first-ever Rally Australia – with a Volkswagen Polo made in Hanover. In 1999, Anttila – now Jari-Matti Latvala’s co-driver – competed alongside his compatriot Janne Tuohino in a Group N Polo with just 120 hp. The Polo was built as a customer car at the site in Ikarusallee where Volkswagen Motorsport GmbH is now based. Unfortunately, this first overseas event ended early for Tuohino/Anttila. The Polo found a new home and went to a new owner in Australia after the rally.

Coffs Harbour, (NSW, Australia), 12 Sept 2013: Volkswagen has started the Rally Australia with best times in the first two Special Stages. The three factory duos from Wolfsburg claimed leading positions with the Polo R WRC Down Under following two spectacular sprints. The drivers completed the Super Special Stage through the middle of Coffs Harbour city twice. Andreas Mikkelsen/Paul Nagle (N/IRL) won SS 01. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) – who are currently leading the WRC Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ Championship – put in the second best time. Andreas Mikkelsen goes into day two at the top of the standings, while Sébastien Ogier will start Friday in fourth place. Just ahead of him are Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) in third, according to a Volkswagen Motorsport press release.

The Rally Australia is being held within an approximately 50-kilometre radius of Coffs Harbour. Spring in New South Wales provides the perfect conditions for rallying: the contestants can look forward to glorious sunshine and mild temperatures on Friday.

Quotes following day one of the Rally Australia

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“The Super Special Stages in Coffs Harbour were a brief warm-up. As of tomorrow, we will face three very different, demanding days – starting with tight, technically challenging routes, followed by fast, flowing sections, then narrow tracks through the forests. Qualifying didn’t go as well as I’d hoped: I was obviously too cautious with the softer tyres, meaning I have to tackle the stages early on. All is not lost though because the rally is expected to be really tricky for everyone. I wasn’t happy with my performance in the last two rallies in Finland and Germany, so I really hope that I can finish well again here and collect as many points as possible for the Manufacturers’ Championship.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“Having crashed out of the Rally Germany early on, I’m aiming for another podium finish in Australia. It goes without saying that I want to win here and bag more important points to help me secure the title of World Champion. Qualifying wasn’t 100% perfect, but I’m satisfied with how it went. Although Kris Meeke surprised us with his impressive time, we’ve got a good starting position for the slippery gravel conditions here in Coffs Harbour. After all, what really matters is the rally as a whole, and it only really gets goingtomorrow. I’m really looking forward to the Special Stages. The recce showed that some of the Special Stages here are extremely fast, and that’s what I enjoy the most. On top of that, the scenery here in Down Under is absolutely fascinating. The only thing I’m a bit worried about is the snakes out in the bush – so I’m glad I’m in a car.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
“Two short test days, two lots of free practice and the two Super Special Stages today – that’s pretty much all the competitive driving I’ve done with Paul Nagle as my co-driver as yet. So it’s just as well that we’ve proven to be a great team so far. But the next three days of rallying will be the real test. They’re like three rallies rolled into one: narrow and technical on Friday, an open landscapeon Saturday and full speed through the forests on Sunday. The surroundings are simply stunning too – I’m looking forward to the next few days. And if there is anything I can do to help Volkswagen or Sébastien Ogier secure the World Championship title, I’ll be happy to do it. With that in mind, it’s good news that day one went so well for us with first and second place in the Super Special Stages.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“The two Super Special Stages today made for a fantastic start to the Rally Australia. That said, they aren’t all that meaningful in sporting terms. They only help us to go into the next few days in a positive frame of mind, because that is when things will really get serious. The Rally Australia is extremely challenging – both for drivers and co-drivers and for the cars. Complete concentration is essential. But the drivers and co-drivers in our team have shown that they’re right on the ball from the outset.”

And then there was …

… the rally in Oz that is something of a home event. How can that be? Back in 1847, the waterside town of Coffs Harbour on the eastern coast of Australia in scenic New South Wales was named after John Korff. His father, John Conrad Korff, emigrated to Australia from Germany – Brunswick, to be precise. And Brunswick is between Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg and the Motorsport department in Hanover. Reason enough to feel just a little bit at home on the other side of the world.

A Volkswagen perspective

It was the home rally of all races where Volkswagen would fall short of their own high expectations for the first time since joining the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in January 2013. This was the first time Volkswagen have missed out on a podium place in a season which has seen the team pick up six rally wins in eight rallies. And all this despite World Championship leaders in the Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ categories Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) both having their Polo R WRCs out in front at different stages of the rally, which was watched by a crowd of 200,000. However, Volkswagen can still boast some very impressive numbers after the Rally Germany: eight of the fifteen stages held were won by the Wolfsburg team’s Polo R WRC at this purely asphalt-based rally. Moreover, at least one Volkswagen driver finished every stage in the top three.

Dani Sordo’s win at the Rally Germany means Citroën remain undefeated on asphalt for almost ten years. Latvala/Anttila finished the ninth race of the season in seventh, whilst Ogier/Ingrassia were 16th, a Volkswagen press release said.

“The Rally Germany was my first visit in my new function,” said Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer, who is head of technical development at Volkswagen and is responsible for the Motorsport programme. “I am very impressed with the professional nature of the brand’s profile and the skill shown by the engineers and mechanics. Due to adverse weather conditions, we had to contend with various set-backs. The mechanics have put in an excellent performance to repair the cars for the final Power Stage, from which we were able to collect four additional points. We were also able to win eight of the fifteen stages, demonstrating how competitive our Polo R WRC is and the amount of effort our drivers put in. We are looking forward to the upcoming rallies and will be doing everything we can to bring World Championship titles to Wolfsburg.”

In the team’s début season, Volkswagen continue to lead all three categories at the WRC’s highest level after nine of the thirteen World Championship races. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia continue to hold a comfortable advantage in the Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ standings; both drivers have a second chance to wrap up the title at the upcoming World Championship race in Australia, which will be taking place from 12 to 15 September. Ahead of this race, their lead over Ford’s Thierry Neuville stands at 75 points. If Ogier/Ingrassia manage to extend their lead to 84 points or more after the Rally Australia, they can no longer be caught.

Volkswagen also continue to lead the way in the Constructors’ Championship with an advantage of 26 points.

Damage limitation: Ogier/Ingrassia win Power Stage

The Rally Germany had begun perfectly for World Championship leaders Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia. After notching up two of stage wins on Thursday, they went into day two as the overall leaders. However, the French duo came off the track on a particularly slippery section, damaging their Polo R WRC’s suspension in the process. This resulted in them having to sit out the rest of the day. In accordance with Rally2 regulations, they were allowed to resume on Saturday and recorded three fastest stage times from a possible five. Sunday’s Power Stage then softened the blow of earlier disappointments: with a fastest time in the final stage of the day, which awards the top three drivers with extra points, the French pairing added a valuable three points to their overall tally.

Great performance goes unrewarded: Latvala/Anttila show excellent form on asphalt

Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila’s best performance on asphalt went unrewarded. After taking the lead at the start of the second day, the Finnish pair continued to build on their advantage until the eleventh stage. On the ‘Arena Panzerplatte’ stage, Latvala/Anttila clipped the passenger door of their Polo R WRC on one of the notorious ‘Hinkelsteine’ concrete blocks. The duo then had to compete with a door that kept on popping open. This resulted in the co-driver Anttila having to hold the door shut with his right hand whilst skimming through the pace notes with his left during the following stage. After there was slight delay in communicating the instructions, Latvala/Anttila slid from the track and were forced to retire. Just as their team-mates did the day before, the Finnish pair resumed under the Rally2 regulations and picked up some valuable points for Volkswagen in the three World Championship categories. They were also rewarded with an additional point in the Power Stage after a third-placed finish.

Premature exit for Mikkelsen/Markkula

Andreas Mikkelsen and Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) were forced to withdraw from the Rally Germany due to health concerns. Co-driver Mikko Markkula suffered a fracture to his seventh thoracic vertebra as well as damage to his eighth thoracic vertebra at the Rally Finland three weeks ago. The injuries were only diagnosed immediately prior to the Rally Germany. Therefore, Volkswagen Motorsport withdrew Mikkelsen/Markkula from the race for heath and safety reasons. Markkula had complained about having back pains at the Rally Finland, which subsided over the following days. However, the pain returned during the reconnaissance runs in Germany on Monday. The team decided to send Markkula for an MRI scan, which confirmed the injuries. The pair were consequently withdrawn from the race.

Celebrities and bosses: Volkswagen welcomes many guests to its home race

German actors Erol Sander and Ingo Naujoks did not pass up the chance to check out some WRC race action in and around Trier. Neither did presenter Andrea Kaiser and Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who, along with motor racing legends Carlos Sainz, Luis Moya and Jacky Ickx, kept their fingers crossed for the Volkswagen team. TV chef Mario Kotaska also made sure there was plenty of currywurst to go round with a stall he especially set up. Top bosses at Volkswagen also paid the drivers a visit, including Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer, who superseded Dr Ulrich Hackenberg as the brand’s head of technical development.

Volkswagen’s ambassador Felix Baumgartner had another reason to be joyful, as he was given his new company car in Volkswagen’s service area: a 340-horsepower Touareg V8 TDI with a 4.2-litre eight-cylinder engine.

Statements, fourth day of the Rally Germany

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“Let’s start with the positive: I have improved on my performances on asphalt from the past. I had never led an asphalt-based rally before and the times show that I am getting better on this surface. Of course, there is still room for improvement, but I’m happy that I was able to pick up some more points for the team in the Constructors’ championship after yesterday’s disappointment, even though the result was anything but perfect for me personally. Nevertheless, I’ll be going into the upcoming rallies with confidence and will do everything I can to give my team the best chance in the fight for the Constructors’ Championship. I’m happy for Dani Sordo, who is celebrating his first ever World Championship rally win here in Germany. I know how Dani must be feeling right now. He deserved the victory.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“Of course, that is not how we hoped the weekend would pan out, but we were still able to make the best of it. The win in the Power Stage at the end was a nice success and may still prove to be important in the shake-up for the World Championship. I’m sorry for the team that we were not able to win our home rally. I’m really happy for Dani Sordo, because he has had a tough season so far and a first World Championship win is always something special. I’m now looking forward to Australia and Julien and I will be trying to edge ever closer to that World Championship title.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
“I was really looking forward to the Rally Germany and am disappointed that we couldn’t participate in our team’s home rally. Yet the safety of my co-driver Mikko Markkula obviously comes first. I hope that he can recover from his two fractures quickly so that we can compete together in the WRC again soon. Both Mikko and I have developed a completely new note taking system that only he is familiar with. It wasn’t possible to find a replacement so soon before the rally. At least we were able to do the reconnaissance for the rally and can use that again in the following years.”

Jost Capito, Director of Volkswagen Motorsport
“To win eight of the fifteen stages is a good sign and matches the amount we have been achieving prior to the Rally Germany. The Polo R WRC is also competitive on asphalt. However, our home race did not go as we had imagined or hoped it would. And that’s disappointing for us. Both Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala led the rally at some stage, but both were forced to retire in this position. We were close to victory, but missed out due to a few little mistakes. In sport, you can’t plan success, though, and you can’t take anything for granted. This is especially the case in the WRC, where it’s about every little detail and no mistakes can be made. And it is exactly this which makes our sport so fascinating. We will now work hard to be successful at the Rally Australia. We send our congratulations to Dani Sordo for his deserved maiden victory in the WRC, which was long overdue.”

And then there was …

… the last Spaniard to win in the WRC. Before Sordo’s success, you have to go back to 18 June 2004 to find the last rally win by a Spaniard. That was Carlos Sainz at the 2004 Rally Argentina. Today, Sainz works as an advisor for Volkswagen Motorsport.

Volkswagen experienced both sides of the coin on day one of the Rally Germany. At the end of the second day of the manufacturer’s home event, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) lead the overall standings in their Polo R WRC. In contrast, the leaders in the driver and co-driver competitions within the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), suffered a set-back in their quest for the WRC title. They skidded off a damp road on the morning of day two, damaging their front suspension. The World Championship leaders had no option but to retire and will re-join the race on Saturdayunder Rally2 regulations.

After 371.92 kilometres, of which 169 were against the clock, Latvala/Anttila find themselves 7.3 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville in the overall standings, and 26.3 seconds clear of Dani Sordo (Citroën). The drivers tackled each of Friday’s three stages twice. Latvala and his co-driver Anttila upped their pace on the afternoon loop, winning the final two stages to extend their lead with two days to go.

Improbable even before the start of today, the early mistake means there is now no chance of Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia securing the driver and co-driver titles in Germany with races to spare. For this to have been possible, they would have had to win the Rally Germany.

Quotes after day two of the Rally Germany

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“Friday was very intense and exciting. The duel with Thierry Neuville remains an extremely close affair. I particularly enjoyed the last two stages of the afternoon – my Polo feels fantastic. It doesn’t really get any better than this. It is obviously a great feeling to lead the Rally Germany after day two. At the same time, I feel sorry for Seb and Julien. Their set-back shows how fine the margins are between success and disappointment here. We haven’t won anything yet either, and will have to try to do a perfect job right until the end. The stages will be very difficult to drive, particularly if it rains tomorrow.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“After getting off to such a good start yesterday, the retirement early on day two is obviously disappointing. Unfortunately I hit a damp spot on the tarmac as I braked, meaning I was too quick coming into the corner and ploughed into the bank at quite a speed. This damaged the suspension at the front left so severely that Julien and I lost more than two minutes. We tried to complete the next special stage, but had to give up for safety reasons. The car was undriveable. I feel bad for the team, as I would really have liked to give Volkswagen a win at their home event. Winning Sunday’s Power Stage is now the priority, as I really want to pick up the three World Championship points. It is also important for us to take leave here with some important reference values on asphalt, which we can use at the Rally France in six weeks.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“Friday was a day of different emotions for Volkswagen. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia suffered the disappointment of skidding off the track whilst leading today. However, we were able to depend upon Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila. The took over the lead and then defended it in a thrilling duel with Thierry Neuville. All in all, we are happy with the result, although we would obviously have hoped for more from Sébastien Ogier. He will resume under Rally2 regulations tomorrow, and will be out to score as many points as possible towards the Manufacturers’ Championship.”

And then there was …
… Cologne Cathedral. The time-honoured gothic cathedral even has its own Faceboo

k page. Yesterday, the people responsible for this page shared an ADAC photo of the ceremonial start of the Rally Germany on Thursday – together with information on exactly what all the loud engines were about. A huge success for all involved. And the Rally Germany will happily return in the future. The Volkswagen drivers were also taken by the start of the manufacturer’s home rally. “A great idea,” said Jari-Matti Latvala. “And a huge boost for the sport.”

3 August 2013: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) claimed their fifth win of the season with Volkswagen in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) – and took a big step towards the World Championship title in the process. 180 km/h through the Finnish forests, jumps of up to 60 metres in length, and all between the ubiquitous trees: the WRC put on a thrilling show for hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic fans in Finland, who saw the overall lead constantly change hands on the first two days of the rally, a Volkswagen Press Release said.

A sixth triumph for the Polo R WRC in only its eighth rally outing saw Ogier and Ingrassia extend their lead in both the driver and co-driver standings to 90 points. Volkswagen also increased its advantage in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) finished 17th in the Polo R WRC and contributed six points to the total. Their team-mates Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) ended their home rally in tenth place, earning them one World Championship point.

King at the rally of all rallies – Ogier fulfils his dream of winning in Finland

The Rally Finland has been taking place since 1951, and Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia this year became only the fifth duo from outside of Scandinavia and Finland to win the rally. 2013 marked the eleventh time that a non-Nordic driver had won this iconic event in the World Rally Championship: in 1990 it was current Volkswagen Motorsport consultant Carlos Sainz (E) and his co-driver Luis Moya who broke the stranglehold of the Finn’s and Swedes for the first time.

For Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, the fifth win of the 2013 season also marked a long-awaited first. The Rally Finland is a legend in itself: while the average speed at other rallies is around 80 kilometres per hour, it was exactly 120.91 km/h at the 2013 Rally Finland. The event, which every year attracts hundreds of thousands of fans to the forests and banks of the many lakes, is renowned for its ideal route conditions and quick sections lined by a thick wall of trees. Many blind crests and jumps of around 60 metres round off the unmistakable character of the rally.

Polo R WRC Power – impressive record at the full-throttle bonanza

Top-class results for the Polo R WRC at the Rally Finland: the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg claimed twelve stage wins and a total of 24 top-three times, making it the most successful car at “Formula One in the Forest”. Since its debut at the Rally Monte Carlo in January 2013, the Polo has now amassed an incredible 81 of a possible 143 stage wins. Furthermore, six of the eight World Championship rounds so far have gone to Volkswagen – an impressive record for a car making its debut in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

Three bonus points on the Power Stage

Another three bonus World Championship points went the way of Volkswagen at the Rally Finland: Volkswagen drivers Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala finished second and third on the Power Stage. This allowed Jari-Matti Latvala to defend his second place in the Drivers’ Championship: he is now level on points with Thierry Neuville, but holds the upper hand courtesy of his win at the Rally Greece and the resulting better individual result. Prior to the Rally Finland, Volkswagen had won every Power Stage held this season.

The incredible “Ouninpohja” – Ogier shows his class on the rally classic

Two stage wins were particularly special: winning the mother of all stages at the fastest rally in the world, “Ouninpohja” is seen as a real accolade. Even on the eve of the stage, the mere thought of the classic brought a broad grin onto the face of Sébastien Ogier. On the final day, the World Championship leader demonstrated his class on this extremely challenging stage, which features jumps approaching the 60-metre mark. Ogier clinched the first run with a 2.6 second lead, and then finished 4.6 seconds clear of the rest of the field on when they tackled it for the second time. The icing on the cake: with a time of 15 minutes and 8.9 seconds, Ogier now holds the stage record on “Ouninpohja”. His average speed as he tore through the forests: 130.75 kilometres per hour.

Impressive fighting performance: Latvala bags points for the Manufacturers’ Championship

Great personal disappointment on the one hand, but even greater team spirit on the other: at their home event, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) secured valuable points for Volkswagen in the battle for the title in the Manufacturers’ Championship. The Finnish duo, who had come into its home rally on the back of four consecutive podiums as the most consistent pair in the World Rally Championship, hit a rock at the side of the road on the second special stage and consequently had to retire with a damaged suspension. When they rejoined the action on day two, under Rally2 regulations, Latvala/Anttila battled their way to nine top-three times for Volkswagen and six World Championship points. Volkswagen Motorsport was thus able to extend its lead over Citroën in the Manufacturers’ Championship by a further nine points to 55.

A show of maturity: Mikkelsen impresses with consistent results

On course for a top-five result, a technical problem prevented Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) from picking up another impressive result. The duo consistently clocked top-ten times before they were stopped in their tracks by a damaged suspension that was none of their fault. After their return under Rally2 regulations on the final day, they confirmed their arrival in the field of established WRC drivers with yet more fine displays – including on the legendary “Ouninpohja” special stage. In the end, their efforts were rewarded: Mikkelsen worked his way back up to tenth place to finish in the points.

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia will go into Volkswagen’s home event at the Rally Germany (22–25 August) with a purely mathematical chance of winning both the driver and co-driver competitions: should they increase their lead over their rivals by 22 points to 112, they would be out of reach of the chasing pack and guaranteed the titles.

Quotes after day three of the Rally Finland

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“Generally speaking I am not happy, as I had come into the event with high hopes. My rally started with a mistake, which cost me any chance of a podium finish. However, I was able to increase my pace by the time we reached the Power Stage at the end of the rally, and my co-driver Miikka Anttila and I still managed to score six points towards the Manufacturers’ Championship. We also used the rally to try out different set-ups, in order to prepare for the coming rallies. We now move on to Volkswagen’s home rally in Germany and I really hope to be back on the podium there.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“It is impossible to describe how I feel! This win here in Finland is a dream come true for me. And to win in Sweden as well this year – it is a great feeling to win these two rallies this year ahead of the Nordic guys like Mads Østberg, Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala. With a lead of over 30 from the first two days, I did not want to take too many risks today. Only on the ‘Ouninpohja’ special stage did I really push myself to the limit, as that stage is simply fantastic. For me, it was the first time in a World Rally Car and the speed with the Polo R WRC left me speechless. You pulse starts to race, you are full of adrenalin, and you enjoy every jump and every metre. My lead in the World Rally Championship has increased, but I am not concentrating on that today – I just want to enjoy the win with my team now. Without our well-oiled team, I would not be on the top step here.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
“We learned a lot here at the Rally Finland. We gained more experience again today. The ‘Ouninpohja’ special stage was simply unbelievable. I remember what it was like driving that stage in the S2000 Škoda last year. But you have so much more grip in the Polo R WRC that you could take many passages in sixth gear and at the rev limit. The goal was to learn as much as possible on both runs, in order to be able to attack next year. On this stage, and today’s other stages, we concentrated fully on finding the right line and not taking any risks. Despite the suspension damage we suffered yesterday, which unfortunately dashed any hopes we had of a top-five finish, we are happy with what we achieved.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“The Rally Finland is a true legend, and winning it is very special. We have a great team which made all this possible. From the Engine and Transmission departments to team management, mechanics and designers – I am proud of everyone. This time, however, you have to highlight the driving performance of Sébastien Ogier. The Rally Finland showed that Ford, Citroën and Volkswagen are operating on a par with each other. Sébastien was the difference this time. This win sees him deservedly take a big step towards the World Championship title. Jari-Matti Latvala definitely did not have a happy weekend. We must learn as a team from his retirement on day one. Our engineers will analyse the incident in detail and further improve the Polo R WRC. Andreas Mikkelsen performed well throughout the entire rally and was on a par with the top drivers in the World Championship. That is impressive.”

And then there was …
… rally legend Markku Alén. The four-time World Rally Champion was in front of the camera as a present and expert for Finnish TV station MTV3. Volkswagen will soon be reunited with “Mr. Maximum Attack”: Alén lines up in the Legends competition when the Scirocco R-Cup heads to the Nürburgring (August) for its fourth race weekend.

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Rally Finland – results
Thursday, 01 August 2013		km	#7 Latvala/ Anttila	#8 Ogier/ Ingrassia	#9 Mikkelsen/ Markkula
SS 01	Himos 1	04,45	P02 (+ 1.2s)	P01	P07 (+ 2.4s)
SS 02	Torittu 1	08,30	P29 (+ 39.2s)	P05 (+ 3.1s)	P06 (+ 4.4s)
SS 03	Koukunmaa 1	13,68	P89 (+3m02.3s	P01	P07 (+ 6.7s)
SS 04	Torittu 2	08,30	P87 (+2m27.1s	P04 (+ 2.7s)	P10 (+ 9.8s)
SS 05	Himos 2	08,72		P06 (+ 4.0s)	P10 (+ 5.8s)
SS 06	Killeri 1	02,06		P05 (+ 2.7s)	P04 (+ 1.6s)
Overall classification			P88 (+ 20m42.5s)	P02 (+ 5.2s)	P08 (+ 23.4s)
Friday, 02 August 2013		km	#7 Latvala/ Anttila	#8 Ogier/ Ingrassia	#9 Mikkelsen/ Markkula
SS 07	Jukojärvi 1	21,90	P03 (+ 2.4s)	P04 (+ 4.9s)	P08 (+ 14.9s)
SS 08	Palsankylä 1	13,92	P02 (+ 0.0s)	P01	P08 (+ 10.9s)
SS 09	Mökkiperä 1	13,74	P03 (+ 0.7s)	P04 (+ 2.6s)	P09 (+ 9.3s)
SS 10	Lankamaa 1	23,66	P05 (+ 4.5s)	P01	P07 (+ 16.4s)
SS 11	Jukojärvi 2	21,90	P05 (+ 7.3s)	P01	P07 (+ 12.2s)
SS 12	Palsankylä 2	13,92	P03 (+ 4.9s)	P01	P06 (+ 7.0s)
SS 13	Mökkiperä 2	13,74	P05 (+ 3.7s)	P01	P06 (+ 4.1s)
SS 14	Lankamaa 2	23,66	P03 (+ 4.7s)	P01	P12 (+ 52.2s)
SS 15	Killeri 2	02,06	P03 (+ 0.7s)	P01
Overall classification			P42 (+ 20m 58.7s)	P01	P20 (+ 12m 17.7s)
Saturday, 03 August 2013		km	#7 Latvala/ Anttila	#8 Ogier/ Ingrassia	#9 Mikkelsen/ Markkula
SS 16	Surkee 1	14,95	P03 (+ 2.7s)	P05 (+ 5.5s)	P06 (+ 7.3s)
SS 17	Leustu 1	09,65	P06 (+ 4.9s)	P03 (+ 2.1s)	P05 (+ 3.6s)
SS 18	Ouninpohja 1	33,01	P06 (+ 20.1s)	P01	P09 (+ 35.3s)
SS 19	Painaa 1	07,49	P04 (+ 5.7s)	P05 (+ 6.0s)	P06 (+ 6.2s)
SS 20	Surkee 2	14,95	P04 (+ 3.9s)	P01	P06 (+ 7.0s)
SS 21	Leustu 2	09,65	P05 (+ 4.0s)	P03 (+ 2.7s)	P06 (+ 4.9s)
SS 22	Ouninpohja 2	33,01	P04 (+ 13.5s)	P01	P07 (+ 32.4s)
SS 23	Painaa 2	07,49	P03 (+ 0.8s)	P02 (+ 0.3s)	P07 (+ 4.2s)
Overall classification			P17 (+ 21m37.7s)	P01	P10 (+ 13m42.0s)

2 August 2013:

Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) made their mark on day two of the Rally Finland. The Volkswagen pairing leads the fastest rally of the year with the Polo R WRC ahead of the grand finale on Saturday.

According to a Volkswagen release, the two Frenchmen first moved to the top of the overall standings on day two of what is known as “Formula One in the Forest”, before opening up a lead bit by bit. The duo, which leads both the driver and co-driver competitions in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), won seven of the day’s nine special stages and now holds a 38.1-second lead over Thierry Neuville and Mads Østberg (both Ford). On the first of today’s two loops, each of which consisted of four special stages, Ogier/Ingrassia clocked similar top times to their rivals at Ford and Citroën. On the second loop, however, they set an irresistible pace and rounded off a superb day by winning the evening’s Super Special Stage.

Their Volkswagen team-mates also produced impressive displayson Friday, but will no longer play a decisive role in the overall standings. Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) in the number 9 Polo R WRC were embroiled in a thrilling duel for fifth place with Kris Meeke (Citroën), but were then forced to retire after the penultimate stage of the day with a damaged suspension. They will start again on Saturday with a five-minute penalty, in accordance with Rally 2 regulations. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) had also lost time due to suspension damage on Thursday. However, the all-Finnish driver/co-driver pairing rejoined the action under Rally 2 regulations and was once again among the fastest cars out on the route. The duo, which currently lies second in both the driver and co-driver competitions in the World Rally Championship, were not to be found outside of the top five on Friday, and finished in the top three on six of the day’s nine stages.

Quotes after day two of the Rally Finland
Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“I am happy with the way day two of our home rally panned out. We started under Rally 2 regulations, meaning we were the first car out onto the route. This morning, when the road was still wet after the rain, this was certainly a small advantage, as the grip level was a bit higher. On the second loop, the opposite was true. The many ruts and various tracks left by smaller rally cars did not make driving any easier for us. However, we achieved the goal we had set ourselves for the day: to arrive safely at the finish. We also tried out a few modifications to the set-up of the Polo, which could help us with regard to the forthcoming rallies.”

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“More than 30 seconds is really a good lead over the second-placed driver, but the rally still has a long way to go. This is particularly true as the legendary ‘Ouninpohja’ special stage still awaits us twice tomorrow – for me the absolute highlight of this weekend. I can hardly wait to finally drive here in a World Rally Car. Today was great for us. We put our foot down, but did not push ourselves right to the very limit. The roads were very rough and difficult, particularly in the afternoon. The risk of getting a puncture was simply too great for an unconditional attack. Picking up points towards the World Championship are obviously the top priority, but I want to try to fulfil my dream of winning the Rally Finland for the first time.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
“A day of highs, but unfortunately also lows for me. I still have a lot to learn in the World Rally Championship, but particularly at the Rally Finland. I was driving most of today’s stages for the first time in a World Rally Car. Our plan was to master them as quickly as possible and with as little risk as possible. And it nearly worked. I tried to use the experience we gained in the morning on the afternoon’s second loop. For this reason, I particularly enjoyed the 13th special stage, ‘Mökkiperä’. Braking points, gear changes and corner entries were just as I had imagined. Up until then everything was running almost perfectly. Unfortunately a damaged suspension put an end to all that on the next stage. It is a shame, as I had my sights set on a top-five result. However, the team will have the Polo excellently prepared for tomorrow and I will start again under Rally 2 regulations. That is important in order to gain more valuable information.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“It doesn’t get any better. Sébastien Ogier produced an irresistible and tactically outstanding performance today. He drove cleverly and conservatively on the morning’s loop, and then won every single stage in the afternoon. He richly deserves to be leading the Rally Finland. However, Andreas Mikkelsen also produced a mature display today. He can be proud of the way he is competing on a par with the top drivers who have greater experience of Finland. Unfortunately he had a problem with the suspension on the penultimate stage of the day and had to retire. However, he will rejoin under Rally 2 regulations tomorrow. Jari-Matti Latvala was also in fine form and bounced back impressively. I am proud of all three.”

And then there was …
… that one very special stage on the Rally Finland. The 23.66-kilometre “Lankamaa” stage, which the drivers tackled twice on Saturday, ran through the property of rally legend Juha Kankkunen (FIN) for several hundred metres. The three-time winner of the Rally Finland spends every summer on his family farm in Laukaa, where he once learned to drive in a Volkswagen Beetle. “I can practically see the World Rally Cars from the balcony,” said Kankkunen, who took part in the Rally Dakar with Volkswagen in 2005. The Volkswagen drivers paid Kankkunen a visit during Monday’s “Recce”, and allowed the four-time world champion to show them his impressive collection of historic racing cars – including a 1986 Audi Quattro S1.