Sebastien Ogier's second victory on Vodafone Rally de Portugal is confirmation that he has taken the next step in his flourishing career.
That’s the view of Frederic Banzet, Citroen’s general manager, who was present in Faro to watch Ogier land WRC-career victory number three in his DS3 WRC.
“I remember a young driver who was over the moon when he won his first rally here a year ago,” said Banzet. “This year, Sebastien Ogier has taken on a whole new dimension that he’s confirmed with this magnificent victory.”
Ogier led home a Citroen one-two in Portugal with Sebastien Loeb finishing second following his delay in day two when he was slowed running in dust clouds created by Mikko Hirvonen’s Ford Fiesta after the Finn stopped to change a puncture.
“Sebastien Loeb, who was unlucky with the rally conditions, has helped the Citroen DS3 WRC to score its first double,” continued Banzet. “Bravo to the whole team and the results of our two crews are crucial for all Automobiles Citroen’s collaborators. We hope this one-two finish will be the first of many.”
Olivier Quesnel, the boss of Citroen’s WRC operation, added: “It’s been a great weekend, the first one-two for the DS3 after the victory in Mexico. We’ve now had three rallies [this season] and twice Citroen has won. Sebastien Loeb came back for the drivers’ [championship] and Citroen is back too so we are very pleased because we have come back in the game.
“Portugal is representative of what we will see for each event, and we have a really strong car. Ford is also really competitive and there are 10 rallies still to go so we have to work but we have to be confident.”
Ogier has climbed to fourth position in the drivers’ standings following his one, while the one-two success for Citroen means it is now just 10 points behind the rival Ford operation.
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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