Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena have won Brother Rally New Zealand for the third time following a faultless display in their Citroen DS3 WRC.
After seeing off a determined challenge from team-mate Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen, Loeb was able to pull clear through today’s stages to claim the victory.
Ford World Rally Team’s Petter Solberg and co-driver Chris Patterson have finished third at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
New Zealand marks Loeb’s fifth victory in this season’s FIA World Rally Championship.
SS22: Latvala tops Power Stage
Ford World Rally Team’s Jari-Matti Latvala has ended Brother Rally New Zealand on a high after bagging a maximum three points on the event’s closing Power Stage.
Fellow Ford Fiesta RS WRC driver Petter Solberg was second quickest through the Power Stage and claims two points. Rally winner Sebastien Loeb was third fastest and takes the final point. MINI WRC Team’s Dani Sordo and Citroen Junior’s Thierry Neuville finished the 7.30-kilometre fourth and fifth respectively.
Loeb’s clear run through the rally’s closing stage has awarded the Frenchman with his fifth win of the season. The Citroen number one reached the finish line 29.6s ahead of team-mate Mikko Hirvonen who finished runner-up.
| Pos. | Driver | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | S. LOEB | 4h04m51.2s |
| 2. | M. HIRVONEN | +29.6 |
| 3. | P. SOLBERG | +1:36.4 |
| 4. | E. NOVIKOV | +2:13.6 |
| 5. | T. NEUVILLE | +2:42.4 |
| 6. | D. SORDO | +3:03.1 |
| 7. | J. LATVALA | +4:52.9 |
| 8. | A. ARAÚJO | +9:36.4 |
| 9. | K. BLOCK | +10:30.3 |
| 10. | M. STOHL | +11:26.3 |
| 11. | J. KETOMAA | +12:35.7 |
| 12. | H. PADDON | +15:26.2 |
| 13. | R. MASON | +15:59.3 |
| 14. | E. GILMOUR | +20:10.4 |
| 15. | M. JANSEN | +23:47.6 |
| 16. | M. LIGATO | +30:29.7 |
| 17. | P. NOBRE | +31:53.5 |
| 18. | S. AKSA | +36:20.5 |
| 19. | R. TRIVINO | +37:36.7 |
| 20. | V. GORBAN | +38:39.1 |