Alsatian won Sunday the Monte Carlo rally. At age 47 and eleven months, it signs its 80th World Championship Success.
by (with AFP)
“It’s good?” Barely out of his car on arrival of the 17th and last special Monte Carlo rally, Sébastien Loeb asks for confirmation of the result. Yes, it’s the M-Sport Ford driver who has emerged on the first round of the WRC 2022 World Championship, Sunday, January 23, signing its 80th success in the Queen category. It has mainly become the oldest winner in the World Championship soon 47 years, 10 months and 25 days.
To dethrone the Swedish Björn Waldegard (46 and 155 days at the Safari Rally in 1990), the Alsatian has advanced his Rival Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) of which he equals the record of success in the Principality with an eighth victory. The Irish Craig Breen (M-Sport Ford) completes the podium.
Victory of Sébastien Loeb and Isabelle Galmiche. From his Sébastien Ogier side for a “stolen start” takes 10 second … https://t.co/moMkvrzqxs “/p>- CanalplusSport (@ Canal + Sport)
An unfortunate puncture for Ogier
From Thursday, the battle had been intense between the two Sébastien, Loeb and Ogier. The second, title world champion, had the advantage in this last day, counting nearly half a minute in advance from the penultimate of the 17 specials of the event. But a puncture in this 16th special allowed the nonuple world champion to resume the commands of the rally.
At the Power Stage, the last special weekend, Sébastien Loeb went with 9”5 ahead of Sébastien Ogier. But the latter, Octuple World Champion, unfortunately anticipated the departure, scooping ten seconds of penalty. In the end, Sébastien Loeb therefore stands out with 10”5 ahead of Sébastien Ogier. “There is not much to do, it’s a shame that it’s played on something like that”, regretted on Canal + the Toyota driver.
First successful for Isabelle Galmiche
“seb (Ogier) has helped us a little with this puncture, admitted Sébastien Loeb. He was really very strong this weekend. It was a beautiful fight, we made pleasure, the car was top and finish on a victory, it’s just amazing. “” I do not come back, I’m too happy. It’s magic what’s happening to me, “added his new Copiline Isabelle Galmiche, professor of mathematics in Life.
The two tricolors suffer the first two places of a world championship that they will only play in rare occasions and without ambition – for the moment – for the world’s coronation at the end of the season. “The continuation, I have no idea. I do not even know if there will be,” concluded, a little mysterious, Sébastien Loeb.