French veteran Ogier wins Rally of Portugal / Photo: © AFP
French veteran Ogier wins Rally of Portugal
Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier chalked up the 63rd victory of his WRC career in the Rally of Portugal on Sunday, the fifth of 14 rounds of the world championship.
The 41-year-old French Toyota driver finished 8.7 seconds ahead of Hyundai's Ott Tanak (Hyundai) with Ogier's Finnish teammate Kalle Rovanpera completing the podium a further 3.50sec behind.
"I think it's something I can be proud of, the way I have managed to stay competitive after all these years," said Ogier who claimed a record seventh victory in Portugal.
"Thanks to the team - it was great to drive this weekend.
"Ott was just flying (like) crazy, but maybe a bit too much. I don't know. On our side, race management is definitely a craft we have, so I'm happy. Seven times here in Portugal, not too bad.
Ogier's win means Toyota have a one hundred percent record in the first five rallies this season with Ogier, Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans all winning.
Filling out the top five were reigning world champion Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Japan's Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) while championship leader Evans could only finish sixth.
Ogier spent a long time trailing in the rally behind Tanak before hitting the front late on Saturday when the Estonian suffered a mechanical problem.
He went into Sunday's race with a 27-second advantage and was able to take control to claim his third podium in three races this season. He won the season-opener in Monte Carlo at the end of January and took second in the Canaries at the end of April.
Evans still tops the standings with 118 but Rovenpera's third place means he is now just 20 points adrift of the Welshman, Ogier a further two points back in third.
The next rally is in Sardinia in June.
M.Ross--VC
