Sebastien Ogier has claimed his third victory in the World Rally Championship after winning Vodafone Rally de Portugal for a second year in succession.
The 27-year-old from France was able to preserve his comfortable overnight lead and hold off Citroen DS3 WRC team-mate Sebastien Loeb for victory on the demanding gravel stages of the Algarve.
It was the perfect result for Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia after they crashed out of the lead on the final morning of the previous round in Mexico.
“I’m very happy, we had the perfect weekend, the car was perfect and Julien was perfect,” said Ogier. “This is the best way to come back after our crash in Mexico. It is a long way to go in the championship but I’m in a better position now.”
Ogier now moves firmly back into title contention and Loeb is already expecting an exciting battle for this year’s world crown.
“The championship battle will be good, it is interesting this year,” said Loeb.
Victory for Ogier means Citroen has now won the last two rounds of the WRC.
The leading Ford driver on the event was Jari-Matti Latvala, who took his Fiesta RS WRC to third place.
Final standings:
| Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | S. OGIER / J. INGRASSIA | Citroën DS3 WRC | 4h10m53.4s |
| 02 | S. LOEB / D. ELENA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +31.8s |
| 03 | J. LATVALA / M. ANTTILA | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +3m22.1s |
| 04 | M. HIRVONEN / J. LEHTINEN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +6m13.3s |
| 05 | M. WILSON / S. MARTIN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +7m48.5s |
| 06 | P. SOLBERG / C. PATTERSON | Citroën DS3 WRC | +10m17.4s |
| 07 | K. RAIKKONEN /K. LINDSTROM | Citroën DS3 WRC | +10m54.1s |
| 08 | F. VILLAGRA / J. PÉREZ COMPANC | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +11m38.8s |
| 09 | H. SOLBERG / I. MINOR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +14m16.4s |
| 10 | D. KUIPERS / F. MICLOTTE | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +17m54.6s |
| 11 | H. PADDON / J. KENNARD | Subaru Impreza STI | +22m40.0s |
| 12 | B. MAGALHAES / P. GRAVE | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +24m02.2s |
| 13 | K. KRUUDA / M. JARVEOJA | Skoda Fabia S2000 | +26m23.5s |
| 14 | K. AL QASSIMI / M. ORR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +27m10.1s |
| 15 | J. KETOMAKI / K. RISBERG | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +30m19.9s |