Monte debut makes VW boss proud

Volkswagen Motorsport boss Jost Capito paid tribute to his entire team for the way they worked together to claim second place with the new Polo R on its debut at Rallye Monte Carlo.

Capito admitted he was not unhappy the final two stages were cancelled for safety reasons, meaning Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia were able to celebrate second without a third pass over the treacherously slippery Col de Turini stage.

“We’re very happy with second,” said Capito. “Sebastien Ogier did an outstanding job, and I’m most proud of the team. The whole team did an outstanding job, from the engineers, the mechanics and even the marketing personnel.

“Rallye Monte Carlo is the most complex rally in the championship and the team has handled it without the slightest mistake or panic. It makes me proud and confident for the future. If the team can handle Monte Carlo the way they have, then they can handle any rally,” he added.

Ogier tested the Polo R for a year in the run-up to the team’s entry into the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship. New team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala has far less experience of the car, having only driven it for the first time less than two months ago.

The Finn cut a frustrated figure at times as he tried to come to terms with the Polo R in the most difficult Monte conditions for years. He was fifth when he crashed into a wall on the first pass through the Turini stage on Saturday afternoon.