SS15: Loeb flies on Power Stage rehearsal
"I tried to do a good stage"
Sebastien Loeb marked himself out as the favourite to win the event-closing Power Stage when he set the fastest time on the first Coll de la Teixeta run, which will be used for the live television spectacular when it’s repeated later today.
“I tried to do a good stage to see how it’s working [for the Power Stage later],” said Citroen driver Loeb. “The feeling was not bad but with a few little mistakes. We have to correct it.”
With the Power Stage offering bonus points for the fastest three drivers, the results could be crucial in the outcome of the world championship battle between Loeb and Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen.
“I tried soft [compound tyres] in the front for the Power Stage but didn’t work out,” said Hirvonen, who was 3.2s slower than Loeb. “At least we know now.”
Jari-Matti Latvala wasn’t entirely happy with his performance in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC and is now 31.1s behind Loeb. Of the time lost to the Frenchman, Finn Latvala said: “It was a bit too much actually. I thought I was driving well but I started to understeer in some places.”
Dani Sordo reported a problem with the steering of his MINI John Cooper Works WRC, while Sebastien Ogier said the rear of his Citroen DS3 WRC was stepping out under braking on a handful of occasions.
Standings after SS15:
Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
---|---|---|---|
01 | S. LOEB / D. ELENA | Citroën DS3 WRC | 3h35m51.3s |
02 | J. LATVALA / M. ANTTILA | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +31.1s |
03 | M. HIRVONEN / J. LEHTINEN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +1m53.5s |
04 | D. SORDO / C. DEL BARRIO | MINI WRC | +3m02.3s |
05 | S. OGIER / J. INGRASSIA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +3m39.1s |
06 | K. MEEKE / P. NAGLE | MINI WRC | +4m42.9s |
07 | M. ØSTBERG / J. ANDERSSON | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +5m33.8s |
08 | H. SOLBERG / I. MINOR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +8m31.3s |
09 | E. NOVIKOV / D. GIRAUDET | Citroën DS3 WRC | +8m54.2s |
10 | M. WILSON / S. MARTIN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +10m09.0s |
11 | D. KUIPERS / F. MICLOTTE | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +10m20.7s |
12 | J. HÄNNINEN / M. MARKKULA | SKODA Fabia S2000 | +12m14.8s |
13 | N. AL-ATTIYAH / G. BERNACCHINI | FORD Fiesta S2000 | +12m21.9s |
14 | K. AL QASSIMI / M. ORR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +12m59.9s |
15 | M. PROKOP / J. TOMÁNEK | FORD Fiesta S2000 | +13m06.4s |
WRC
Sordo holds on for Sardinia double in dramatic finale
Breaking news: Sordo secures Italian double
Sardinia, saturday: Sordo closes on repeat Sardinia victory
Sardinia, saturday (mid-day): Super Sordo stretches Sardinia lead
More on WRC