Category: WRC

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Volkswagen WRC

Volkswagen Motorsport pats itself on the back

The story of glory video

That dust is pretty much all that Volkswagen’s rivals saw during the 2013 WRC season. In its debut year Volkswagen Motorsport won 10 out of 13 races, with nine of those victories going to new world champion Sebastien Ogier.

It was remarkable year for the German giants who could not have hoped for such great things when they rocked up to Monte Carlo in mid-January.

Here, in this brief one minute video, Volkswagen recaps its year. This is the director’s cut according to the video’s title. That’s all very well, but we’d quite like to see an extended remix thanks very much.

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Citroen Ford Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Wales Rally GB

2013 Wales Rally GB

Okay, we know this update is a week late, but you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!

So, last weekend Sebastien Ogier did what he does best and that’s dominating his teammates and opponents on the way to another WRC victory, this time at the season-ending Wales Rally GB.

Like the Seabstian in Formula 1, Ogier has done enough by himself to wrap up the manufacturers’ championship for his employer. Although Volkswagen certainly didn’t complain to see Jari-Matti Latvala pick up second place in Wales, providing the team with a perfectly suitable close to a year they would not have even dared to dream when they rocked up to Monte Carlo in January.

Equally fitting was seeing Thierry Neuville on the podium. In just his second year in the WRC he placed second overall in the drivers’ title. He’ll be hoping to emulate Volkswagen’s success in 2014 when he leads the charge for Hyundai’s re-introduction into rallying’s premier category.

And the less said about Citroën’s race in Wales and the season overall the better. They had a terrible year and may well choose to sulk off into the distance with the security of Sebastien Loeb’s WTCC campaign to console them.

The WRC now enters its dormant stage. Although, with just over 50 days until the teams re-emerge for the 2014 season there won’t be much time for reflection for Ogier and Volkswagen, who will no doubt be hoping to embarrass the competition again next year. Thankfully, Neuville, at the very least, will have other ideas.

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Citroen WRC

VIDEO: Robert Kubica crashes out of Wales Rally GB

Robert Kubica, Citroen DS3 WRC, Wales Rally GB

Robert Kubica’s debut in a WRC car hasn’t gone to plan, being forced to retire from the event after crashing out twice.

The new WRC2 champion was on the back foot from the start of the event after his co-driver, Maciek Baran, retired prior to Wales Rally GB. Kubica and Citroën drafted in Michele Ferrara to join the Pole, which brought with it the added difficulty of having his notes read to him in Italian.

It’s not really surprising to learn that misunderstandings with pace notes have been blamed for Kubica’s two accidents. In the first accident, on Friday morning (see video below), Robert’s car suffered only minor damage and he was able to re-start the rally from 36th place on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, on SS11 Kubica went off again and was forced to retire.

It’s been an awful weekend for Citroën with Mikko Hirvonen also crashing out of the event after suffering heavy impact into a muddy bank on Day 1. The crash was blamed on an error from his co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen and the resulting blow left the interior of the DS3 WRC and both crew covered in mud.

Dani Sordo is the sole remaining driver for Citroën with one day left to run in the rally. Sadly for Dani his rally was compromised from the start after being given a five minute penalty for the team using its ninth chassis for the year.

You won’t be surprised to learn that Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala are fighting for the win in their Volkswagen Polo R WRCs. We’ll bring you a full update after the rally is over.

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Formula 1 WRC

Formula 1 return “nearly impossible” says Kubica

2013 Rallye de France-Alsace

On the eve of his debut in a WRC car Robert Kubica says a return to Formula 1 following injuries sustained in a rally crash in February 2011 remains a dream for him, even though he says such an outcome is unlikely.

“It’s a dream, a target, but for now, it’s very difficult, I would say nearly impossible,” Robert told the BBC when asked about a return to F1. “I will never take the opportunity if I don’t feel 100% ready. If one day things improve, for sure we will see. For now, I am concentrating on rallying.”

Kubica still has an open diary for 2014 and after wrapping up the WRC2 championship last month a full-time rally gig would seem a natural progression.

“Driving on gravel is very demanding. There are lots of movements on the steering wheel which put a lot of stress on my arm and my hand,” he said. “If I stay in rallying next year, I would like to do a whole season. But to do all the rallies in one year is quite a big challenge.”

A successful outing for Citroën in Wales Rally GB this weekend might begin to offer some clarity for next year. For now Kubica says he doesn’t have the strength to race a single-seater. Although, he isn’t ruling out a return to the track, where he has previously tested a Mercedes-Benz DTM car.

“One option is to come back to circuit racing. For sure, it won’t be single-seaters, but I haven’t got it clear in my mind what I will do.”

[Source: BBC]

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WRC

Is the WRC shooting itself in the foot?

2013 Rallye de Espana

The WRC should be ready to ride a new wave of prosperity. In Volkswagen the sport has a new and heavily backed manufacturer that has just made nine-time manufacturers champions Citroën look like rank amateurs.

Hyundai is committed for the long haul and eager to hand BMW a lesson on how they should have handled MINI’s failed foray into world rallying. You sense Ford would be willing to consider a return of full factory presence if it had greater confidence in the sport’s administration.

Sebastien Ogier is replacing the irreplaceable Sebastien Loeb with some ease. Thiery Neuville is a young driver laughing at the reputations of those with much greater experience, fast on his way to success. Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latvala, Dani Sordo and possibly even former F1 ace Robert Kubica, won’t be happy sitting in the background watching the Sebastien and Thierry show. The WRC has some serious talent, if not an over abundance of depth.

And then there’s the might of the Red Bull marketing machine who is supposedly promoting the category.

So what’s the problem? What’s going wrong? Well, we can’t really tell you because meaningful discussion from the latest World Rally Championship Commission meeting to chart the future of the sport appears to have been silenced.

All we can tell you is Volkswagen walked out of the latest meeting in disgust and share a sweeping statement from an unnamed source that shows things aren’t as rosy as you might expect: “It’s fair to say this wasn’t the most productive Commission meeting.

“There’s a real feeling that there simply isn’t enough communication on matters which are key to the future of our sport.

“We still don’t have answers on key questions about the future.”

The WRC is such a spectacular category. It deserves much better, especially when manufacturers are slowly showing renewed interest.

[Source: Autosport]

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Hyundai WRC

Hyundai signs Thierry Neuville to lead WRC charge

Thierry Neuville

Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed one of WRC’s hottest rumours by announcing the signing of young Belgian ace Thierry Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul.

The 25-year-old M-Sport driver is currently in a fight for second place in the world championship and will be going all out at Wales Rally GB in his Ford Fiesta WRC to hold off the challenge from Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala, who is 14 points behind with just one event to run.

But from next year Neuville will be showcasing his talents at the wheel of the all-new Hyundai i20 WRC. Described by Hyundai as a “multi-year deal” it’s believed Neuville has been secured on a three-year contract which is a great sign of Hyundai’s commitment to the WRC.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal, Michel Nandan, is pleased to get his man. “By signing a driver of Thierry’s talent, we can show that Hyundai’s WRC engagement is serious and focused on long-term success,” Nandan said.

“It is also great recognition for the work that the entire team has carried out in such a short time. We both share similar values and objectives to win the championship in the long-term so we are proud to have Thierry in the team and as an ambassador for the Hyundai Motorsport brand.”

[Pic: M-Sport]

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Hyundai WRC

Hyundai steps up i20 WRC test program

Hyundai i20 WRC

Hyundai Motorsport had a busy October spending 15 days testing the i20 WRC on tarmac and gravel roads in Spain and Germany. Included in the itinerary were stages used in both Rally de Espana and Rally Deutschland.

With two prototype cars now in action Hyundai is able to speed up its development process.”This month was exceptionally busy for us,” explains Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan. “We were out testing the i20 WRC on both surfaces for more than half of the month, with our three test drivers swapping the seat on four separate test sessions.

“We now have two latest-spec i20 WRC cars, which allows us to further intensify the development schedule by alternating between the two chassis. Overall, it was a positive month as we managed to test new parts, try different set-up solutions and cover some good mileage with the car.”

Hyundai has also lodged its paperwork to the FIA for homologation of the i20 WRC in readiness for the 2014 season.

It’s expected Belgian ace Thierry Neuville will switch from M-Sport to lead Hyundai’s charge next year. That would leave a fight between current Hyundai test drivers Juho Hänninen, Bryan Bouffier and Chris Atkinson in the chase for remaining seats.

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Citroen WRC

Robert Kubica wins WRC2 championship

2013 Rallye de Espana

Robert Kubica and Maciek Baran secured the WRC2 championship with their class victory at the 2013 Rally de Espana. Kubica dominated the category winning five of the seven rallies he entered.

“Perhaps you’ll think that this result has been easily obtained,” the former F1 driver said. “But I can assure you that it has been difficult from start to finish!

“When I began my season in Portugal, it was my first rally on gravel and I had to come up with answers to the hundreds of questions I had. After that, every event was totally different to the ones that went before, including those on tarmac.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success, starting with Citroën Racing, PH Sport and my partner Lotos, without whom I wouldn‘t be here today.”

Robert will end his competitive season at the wheel of a DS3 WRC in Rally Wales GB next month. It’s a job interview for his 2014 program, of sorts. Kubica wants to remain open to the possibility of a comeback to circuit racing and says he will only continue in rallying if he can secure a full program in a WRC car.

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Citroen Ford Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rally de Espana

2013 Rallye de Espana

Sebastien Ogier’s good fortune has continued after he fought back to win Rally de Espana on the weekend. Jari-Matti Latvala’s second place ensured Volkswagen secured the manufacturers’ championship in style, too, registering the team’s first one-two finish.

Rally de Espana is a diverse event covering tarmac and gravel with the extra dimension of night stages. The severe dust during the gravel stages made things very tricky for the drivers.

Ogier started in his usual fashion, building a lead over his rivals. However, he suffered a puncture cutting a corner a little too aggressively and dropped down to fourth place. Latvala and Dani Sordo, in his home event, assumed the battle for the lead.

Sadly, both endured bad luck which put both men out of contention. Latvala’s car had a leaking fuel line on the final day which caused a small fire and scuppered any hopes of Volkswagen duel to the finish line. Alas, Sordo’s misfortune was worse, hitting a small rock which wrecked his suspension and forced him into retirement on the final day while a podium position was his for the taking.

In the difficult gravel stages Ogier was superb fighting his way back from a deficit of over 40 seconds. He put on a rallying masterclass, made his own luck and took the win by over 30 seconds in the end.

Earlier this year Sebastien Ogier raced in the Porsche Supercup at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he became friends with Sean Edwards. After the rally Ogier dedicated his win to Edwards and his family.

It’s been a magical debut season for Volkswagen in 2013 and with just Rally Wales GB in mid-November left on the calendar they’ll be hoping they can finish the season with another victory.

A special note for Robert Kubica, too, who won the WRC2 championship with his class victory in Spain. We’ll have more on that later.

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Citroen WRC

Robert Kubica earns WRC drive in Wales Rally GB

2013 Rallye de France-Alsace

Former F1 driver Robert Kubica is on track to win the WRC2 world championship. Driving a Citroën DS3 RRC he’s won for of the six events he’s entered this year and needs only a second place finish in the Rally RACC Catalunya to secure the title.

Unsurprisingly, his excellent results have not gone unnoticed, and with the goodwill of Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi and the blessing of the Citröen World Rally Team, Robert will drive a DS3 WRC at the season-ending Wales Rally GB in mid-November.

Kubica and co-driver Maciek Baran, will drive Khalid Al Qassimi’s car who will stand aside from the event to make provide the opportunity.

“This one-off outing for the works team is a great opportunity for me, but it’s also a huge challenge,” revealed Robert. “Wales Rally GB wasn’t part of my original programme, so I’m very happy to be able to have this precious experience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my partners, and especially the Lotos Group and Citroën Racing for having made this possible.”

Earlier this year Robert said his sights were firmly set on securing a return to Formula 1, we wonder if the promise of a full-time WRC drive, were it to be offered, would make him reconsider his career ambitions?

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Citroen Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rallye de France-Alsace

2013 Rallye de France-Alsace

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have capped off their world championship by coming from behind to claim victory in Rallye de France-Alsace.

After the euphoria of the opening day when their championship was finally secured in the Power Stage the leading duo made a poor start to the rally proper. They ended Day 2 down in fifth place and well off the pace.

Ford driver Thierry Neuville was looking good thanks to a wise tyre choice which allowed him to end the going fastest in all the afternoon stages. An unfortunate puncture on Day 3 ended Neuville’s hopes of a maiden victory. He has shown much promise in 2013 and his career is sure to reach greater heights in the coming years.

Dani Sordo was again showing Citroën he has the pace on tarmac and inherited the lead from Neuville, but by the day’s end Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala had carved out a narrow edge to head the field into the final day.

Day 4 shaped as a classic with the first four drivers—Latvala, Sordo, Ogier and Loeb—separated by just five seconds. In wet and muddy conditions Ogier’s class shone through. He ended the opening stage of the day with a seven second lead over Sordo, with Latvala a further six seconds behind the Citroën driver.

Sadly, for all-time greats and nine time world champions, Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, their rally ended after Loeb lost control on a fast right hander, spearing off the road and into the bushes where the car came to rest on its roof. Thankfully both men were okay, but it was an unfortunate end to rallying’s best ever career.

Citroën had adorned their car with a great looking black and gold livery with the pair’s impressive statistics featured all over the car. While they did move their all-time tally of stage wins from 896 to 900, there were no additions to their 116 podiums or 78 rally victories. Still, it’s an amazing record, which is sure to remain unmatched.

Ogier was never really troubled for the remainder of the day and he took victory by 12.2 seconds from Dani Sordo. Jari-Matti Latvala was third, 19.5 seconds behind his teammate.

There’s nice symmetry in Ogier being crowned world champion in his home country as the title finally escapes Loeb’s clutches. The Alsace region is where Loeb grew up and while he’ll be disappointed to have ended his career upside down the crowd support he has enjoyed this rally will stay with him for years to come.

With two more events left on the 2013 calendar Volkswagen enjoys an 80 point lead over Citroën in the manufacturers’ championship and will be hoping it can wrap that title up at the next event in Spain later this month.

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Volkswagen WRC

He is Andreas Mikkelsen

Andreas Mikkelsen

While the rally world is busy patting Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier on the back, in the background and out of the spotlight is 24-year-old Norwegian driver Andreas Mikkelsen. The two-time IRC winner has the lowest profile of the three Volkswagen drivers but if he achieves the aims he outlines in this video that will soon change.

Mikkelsen had a charmed childhood with parents able to buy him whatever he wanted. That financial strength certainly helped him make a start in rallying but he eventually had to prove he has the talent to compete on the world stage.

This short documentary is well made and worth wacthing. It’s open and honest and has tragic story along the way. He is Andreas Mikkelsen and he is going places.

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