Monte Carlo Rally

By James Disdale

29th January 2008

It was business as usual for Sebastien Loeb as he raced his Citroen C4 WRC to victory on the Monte Carlo Rally.

The reigning world champ got his quest for a fifth title off to the perfect start with a dominant display. The 34-year-old French­man’s emphatic win also means he has now claimed the season opener a record five times.

Trailing behind Loeb by more than two-and-a-half minutes was Ford Focus team leader Mikko Hirvonen. The Finnish ace was gifted the position when Loeb’s team-mate Dani Sordo retired with a blown engine on Saturday morning.

Third place turned into a tense battle between Australian Chris Atkinson in his Subaru Impreza, and Belgium’s Francois Duval in another Ford Focus. After three days of tough competition, Atkinson entered the final stage 1.1 seconds ahead of Duval. Incredibly, they both set an identical time on the stage, giving the Subaru driver his first podium since Rally Japan in 2005.

Further down the field, there were mixed fortunes for WRC newcomer Suzuki. Lead driver Toni Gardemeister was forced out on the penultimate day when his SX4 overheated, but young Swede Per-Gunner Andersson guided the second car to eighth, netting the squad a championship point.

British honour was upheld by rising star Matthew Wilson. The 20-year- old son of Ford team boss Malcolm rounded out the top 10.

But it was Loeb who was the star attraction, leading his rivals from start to finish. “More than the fact that this was our 37th WRC victory and our fifth Monte win, I think the most significant thing is the way we won,” he said. “Our C4 performed faultlessly throughout and the set-up we chose proved excellent.”

The WRC now heads for the snowy stages of Sweden on 8 February.