Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia were crowned world rally champions for the fourth time in a row after taking victory at the WRC Rally Spain over the weekend. They guided their Volkswagen Polo R WRC to a fifth win of the season in Catalonia (and ninth podium in 11 races), finishing ahead of Dani Sordo/Marc Martí and Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul, both in Hyundais.
The Frenchmen can no longer be caught at the top of the overall standings in the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship. VW teammates Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger went into Rally de Espana – the only rally on the WRC calendar to be held on both gravel and asphalt – as their closest rivals in the title race, but the Norwegians’ slim hopes of winning the championship were dashed when they were forced to retire from the rally after a spectacular flying crash in SS12.
Ogier is the now the undisputed king of rallying. 952 days in a row at the top of the table, the VW driver is only the third man to be crowned champion four years in a row in the WRC, and the fourth four-time world champion in the history of the series. He is now on a par with Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Mäkinen. Only compatriot Sebastien Loeb, a nine-time world champion and living legend, has more titles to his name.
“I feel fantastic! The fourth world championship title for Julien and me, it is impossible to describe how this feels. It is an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as such big names as Kankkunen and Mäkinen. I would like to say a huge thank you to our team at VW. Without them, Julien and I would not be here today. They do a fantastic job all year and we have had a perfect car all season,” Ogier said after the race.
“I had great fun at the wheel of the Polo R WRC once again this weekend. The tension ahead of the closing Power Stage was obviously greater than usual, given the fact that we were within touching distance of the title, and bearing in mind the mistake we made last year. But we’ve done it. Despite the more difficult regulations, and despite the strong opposition. I am extremely proud of this title. It is now time to celebrate in style with the team and my wife – and when I get home I can show my young son Tim the trophy that daddy won. I dedicate this world championship title to him,” he added.
Eighth place in the Manufacturers’ classifications for Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila means Volkswagen is well-placed to claim its fourth WRC Manufacturers’ title in a row next time out at the Rally Great Britain. Can someone step up to stop this one horse race from repeating next season? They sure look good – check out 2017’s Ford Fiesta WRC, Citroen C3 WRC and returning Toyota with the Yaris WRC.
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Viva Ogier!!! Tous avec Ogier!!!!
mana ade breakdown??
Congrats to Sebastien Ogier & Julien Ingrassia for being crowned world rally champions for the fourth time in a row.
What i did not expect is the Hyundai’s duo of Dani Sordo/Marc Martí & Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul gave the VW a run for their money.
I hope next year, Ford, Citroen & Toyota will put up a better fight & make it more interesting in the grueling WRC.
I also hope the most successful driver in WRC history(9 time champion) Sebastian Loeb will make a return soon.
Toyota mana?
T will comeback next year, sorry to disappoint you.
Just like Honda in F1, ya?
Let’s see if Seb Ogier can match or beat Seb Lobb’s 9 WRC records.
Still waiting for Sebastian Loeb to be back with Citroen for the 10th title…then you’ll know who is the real king