Sebastien Loeb scored a dream victory at Rally de Espana on Sunday, more than five years after his last World Rally Championship win.
The nine-time World Champion returned to the WRC with Citroen to contest three events in 2018 – Mexico, France and Spain – having last raced in the series during a one-off appearance at Rally Monte Carlo in 2015.
Loeb narrowly clinched the win as he and title leader Sebastien Ogier fought it out in the final speed test, with a victory margin of just 2.9 seconds.
Second place for Ogier was enough for the M-Sport driver to retake the championship lead by three points as chief rival Thierry Neuville finished fourth, having lost out in the final few metres when he hit a stone and broke his Hyundai i20’s rear right wheel. That allowed Elfyn Evans to move up to snatch third from the Belgian.
Sunday began with Loeb in third, but he charged into the lead by winning the opening two speed tests as an inspired tyre choice reaped rewards.
The asphalt roads dried quickly after overnight rain and the 44-year-old was the only front-running driver to gamble on Michelin’s hard compound tyres, which provided better grip than the softer option favoured by his rivals.
Loeb threw away vital seconds with a spin in the penultimate test to allow Ogier to close in his Ford Fiesta. He held on through the final 14.50km test for his ninth Spanish win.
“The information we had from the weather team was right. The roads were drying and I knew if I used hard tyres in these conditions I could be fast,” he said.
“To win after almost six years is incredible, but to do so in a battle like this, where you only discover after the finish line that you have won, is amazing. I never believed I would win again.”
Tyre choice errors early in the event cost Ogier dear, but this season’s remarkable title fight swung back in his favour following Neuville's tiny error.
Spain’s Dani Sordo was a further 1.6s behind in fifth, while early leader Ott Tänak recovered to sixth after yesterday’s puncture. The Estonian is 23 points adrift of Ogier and with a maximum 30 available at the last round, his hopes hang by a thread.
Overnight leader Jari-Matti Latvala remained second until he hit a barrier in the penultimate stage, punctured his front left tyre and dropped nearly 50s. He finished eighth.
Tanak won the final live TV Power Stage to claim five bonus points in his Toyota Yaris. Ogier took four points for second with Loeb scoring three in third. Evans and Dani Sordo took two and one point respectively.
The championship showdown takes place at Kennards Hire Rally Australia. The gravel event is based in Coffs Harbour on 15 – 18 November.
Rally Spain Result:
1. S. Loeb / D. Elena – Citroen 3:12:08.0
2. S Ogier / J. Ingrassia – M Sport +2.9
3. E. Evans / D. Barritt – M Sport +16.5
4. T Neuville / N. Gilsoul – Hyundai +17.0
5. D. Sordo / C. del Barric – Hyundai +18.6
6. O. Tanak / M. Jarveoja – Toyota +1:03.9
7. E. Lappi / J. Ferm – Toyota +1:16.6
8. J. Latvala / M. Antilla – Toyota +1:26.4
