Loeb Dominates Rally Mexico
Ford's Mikko Hirvonen had to settle for fourth while F1 refugee Kimi Raikkonen's tormented rally career continued in an incident-packed rally that ended for him in a large accident Friday afternoon..
Loeb dominated from first stage Saturday morning as he benefited his improved road position to go from 27 seconds behind overnight to lead by 55 seconds that evening. "Finally a victory and back in the lead of the championship," the world champion enthused.
"It was important after Sweden to win here. It's only the start of the championship but I'm really happy. We had a really good drive yesterday.
Solberg dominated Friday's running from Ogier before the pair fought to the end for second once Loeb moved ahead, with Solberg reclaiming second in the final superspecial when he took 1.1 seconds off his young rival to beat him by all of half a second!
Hirvonen benefited team orders to pass teammate Jari-Matti Latvala for fourth. "It was a very difficult weekend for the whole team," Hirvonen rued. "We never really had the speed. Lots of small mistakes on my side as well. In the end I'm glad we got the points we could and I just want to leave it behind and go on to the next rally."
"I am the second driver this year and that's part of my job," Latvala confirmed. "Mikko needs these points more now for his title against Loeb. We want to give him as good a chance in the fight as possible."
Henning Solberg took sixth for Stobart Ford ahead of Federico Villagra's Munchis Ford after the field was decimated by a number of problems through the weekend. Citroen number two Dani Sordo broke his car's suspension on the same stage that claimed .
Raikkonen's bent a steering arm on the opening stage before a fuel system fault cost half an hour and then he rolled out of contention albeit after showing good pace
WRC Mexico Final Results
Sebastien Loeb Citroen C4 3:42:41.7
2. Petter Solberg Citroen C4 + 24.2
3. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C4 + 24.7
4. Mikko Hirvonen Ford Focus + 1:47.5
5. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford Focus + 2:15.1
6. Henning Solberg Ford Focus + 2:48.0
7. Federico Villagra Ford Focus + 10:13.4
8. Xevi Pons Ford Focus + 18:44.4