Volkswagen has started the Rally Australia with best times in the first two Special Stages. The three factory duos from Wolfsburg claimed leading positions with the Polo R WRC Down Under following two spectacular sprints. The drivers completed the Super Special Stage through the middle of Coffs Harbour city twice. Andreas Mikkelsen/Paul Nagle (N/IRL) won SS 01. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) – who are currently leading the WRC Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ Championship – put in the second best time. Andreas Mikkelsen goes into day two at the top of the standings, while Sébastien Ogier will start Friday in fourth place. Just ahead of him are Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) in third.
The Rally Australia is being held within an approximately 50-kilometre radius of Coffs Harbour. Spring in New South Wales provides the perfect conditions for rallying: the contestants can look forward to glorious sunshine and mild temperatures on Friday.
Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #7
“The Super Special Stages in Coffs Harbour were a brief warm-up. As of tomorrow, we will face three very different, demanding days – starting with tight, technically challenging routes, followed by fast, flowing sections, then narrow tracks through the forests. Qualifying didn’t go as well as I’d hoped: I was obviously too cautious with the softer tyres, meaning I have to tackle the stages early on. All is not lost though because the rally is expected to be really tricky for everyone. I wasn’t happy with my performance in the last two rallies in Finland and Germany, so I really hope that I can finish well again here and collect as many points as possible for the Manufacturers’ Championship.”
Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #8
“Having crashed out of the Rally Germany early on, I’m aiming for another podium finish in Australia. It goes without saying that I want to win here and bag more important points to help me secure the title of World Champion. Qualifying wasn’t 100% perfect, but I’m satisfied with how it went. Although Kris Meeke surprised us with his impressive time, we’ve got a good starting position for the slippery gravel conditions here in Coffs Harbour. After all, what really matters is the rally as a whole, and it only really gets going tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to the Special Stages. The recce showed that some of the Special Stages here are extremely fast, and that’s what I enjoy the most. On top of that, the scenery here in Down Under is absolutely fascinating. The only thing I’m a bit worried about is the snakes out in the bush – so I’m glad I’m in a car.”
Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
“Two short test days, two lots of free practice and the two Super Special Stages today – that’s pretty much all the competitive driving I’ve done with Paul Nagle as my co-driver as yet. So it’s just as well that we’ve proven to be a great team so far. But the next three days of rallying will be the real test. They’re like three rallies rolled into one: narrow and technical on Friday, an open landscape on Saturday and full speed through the forests on Sunday. The surroundings are simply stunning too – I’m looking forward to the next few days. And if there is anything I can do to help Volkswagen or Sébastien Ogier secure the World Championship title, I’ll be happy to do it. With that in mind, it’s good news that day one went so well for us with first and second place in the Super Special Stages.”
Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
“The two Super Special Stages today made for a fantastic start to the Rally Australia. That said, they aren’t all that meaningful in sporting terms. They only help us to go into the next few days in a positive frame of mind, because that is when things will really get serious. The Rally Australia is extremely challenging – both for drivers and co-drivers and for the cars. Complete concentration is essential. But the drivers and co-drivers in our team have shown that they’re right on the ball from the outset.”