Skip to content

Sebastien Ogier wins fifth Poland rally to extend series lead

Sebastien Ogier (L) celebrates after winning the seventh round of Lotos Rally Poland
Image: Sebastien Ogier celebrates after clinching victory in Baranowo

Sebastien Ogier extended his World Rally Championship title lead with his fifth win in seven rallies at the Rally of Poland on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Frenchman led the seventh round of the series from Friday afternoon, holding off Volkswagen Polo R teammate Andreas Mikkelsen of Norway to win by 11.9sec after almost 300 kilometres of furious competition in very hot weather in north-east Poland.

"We have put together seven perfect rallies and, although it's a bit early for predictions, I think I have taken a huge step towards a third title," said two-time defending champion Ogier.

Ott Tanak prevented a Volkswagen podium clean sweep by claiming third in a Ford Fiesta RS, matching his career-best result and giving his manufacturer only their second podium finish of the campaign.

Jari-Matti Latvala crashed in the final stage while attempting to catch the Estonian.

It was Ogier's 29th career success and took him to 161 points in the drivers' standings, the sole driver in triple digits.

Mikkelsen is a distant second on 83 points, with six races of the season remaining.

Final Leading Overall Positions After Special Stage 18:

1 Sebastien Ogier (Fra) Volkswagen 2hrs 26mins 11.500secs

2 Andreas Mikkelsen (Nor) Volkswagen 2:26:23.400

3 Ott Tanak (Est) Ford 2:26:34.500

4 Jari-Matti Latvala (Fin) Volkswagen 2:26:56.200

5 Hayden Paddon (Nzl) Hyundai 2:27:26.100

6 Thierry Neuville (Bel) Hyundai 2:27:56.000

7 Kris Meeke (Gbr) Citroen 2:28:09.200

8 Robert Kubica (Pol) Ford 2:28:19.800

9 Mads Ostberg (Nor) Citroen 2:28:29.700

10 Daniel Sordo (Spa) Hyundai 2:28:59.900

Drivers standings:

1 Sebastien Ogier (FRA) 161pts

2 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR) 83

3 Mads Ostberg (NOR) 69

4 Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) 68

5 Thierry Neuville (BEL) 58

6= Elfyn Evans (GBR) 53, Kris Meeke (GBR) 53

8. Hayden Paddon (NZL) 42

9. Ott Tanak (EST) 40

10. Dani Sordo (ESP) 39
 
Constructors' standings

1 Volkswagen 214 pts

2 Citroën 125

3 Hyundai 123

4 M-Sport (Ford) 114

Around Sky