29.5.2019. After two operations in South America, the FIA world rally championship (WRC) returns with the rally Portugal (31. May -2. June) for the seventh race of the season, back to Europe. The Citroën Total World Rally Team is highly motivated in the challenging gravel rally, the driver Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm expect much.
The rally is for Citroën Racing, a special event, already five times a Citroën rolled up the ramp as the winner on the finish. Here, the six-times world rally champion Sébastien Ogier and Julian Ingrassia celebrated WRC its first victory in a Citroën Junior Team used Citroën C4. So, you could decide the rally in 2011, with Citroën for further victories followed in 2013, 2014 and 2017. Thus, the two Frenchmen, therefore, count in 2019 of the favourites in Portugal.
On the team’s 20 stages are waiting on a total of 306 kilometres. On the first leg of the famous Gravel stages in the vicinity of Arganil hazards are in order for all Teams is new territory for the first time since 2001. Although the first day with 94 WP-kilometers is relatively short, however, there is no Service between the two loops, but only a tyre change zone planned.
Ogier and Ingrassia were able to achieve in the first six rally of the current season, already five podiums, including victories in Monte Carlo and Mexico, as well as rank two in Chile. As a table leader, you need to open up on Friday, the field, and for their later-starting tracker the loose gravel of the track. A task that you could do more successfully in the past.
“We had a good Test and implement the results now in the rally,” says Sébastien Ogier, who began already ten Times in Portugal. “This is a rally that I really love very much. I have beaten me here in the past. But to me, it is not clear that the Championship leader for us this year the life easier. If we want to get as many points, we need to create to survive the Friday with his short new stage as the First on the track well and to be as far forward as possible. On gravel, however, it is crucial that the Rest of the weekend is going well.“
The rally Portugal is also for Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm have something Special: On the gravel they celebrated in 2017, your world Cup routes in the South-West of Europe debut. After a successful first appearance, she has improved in the past year, won two best times and finished in fifth place. The rally classic is the perfect event for you to improve your Speed in the Citroën C3 WRC more. With the seventh starting position on the first day, you should – provided that the weather remains dry and free of driven tracks with a good Grip, and thus from the Start with self-trust attack can be found.
“Although the first stage is new, is discharged of the remainder of the rally on the routes that I like and I know when I need to printing,” says Esapekka Lappi. “This is a rally where I have more experience. In the past year, we were on the last two days quite quickly. I hope that it stays dry so that we could get from our seventh starting position at the most out to our good feeling at the end of the rally in Chile to build and gradually increase the Tempo.“
As a preparation for rally Portugal and the following race in Sardinia, the Citroën Total World Rally Team has completed two days of testing in Sardinia, and on new track with little Grip, concentrated temperatures, such as on the first pass on a special examination of Mr.
“The return of The WRC to Europe, a conventional gravel rally, at the our sole aim is expected of us, to continue to fight for the championship and driving for the seventh Time in as many missions on the Podium,” says Pierre Budar, team principal of Citroën Racing. “The championship is highly competitive, but we want to continue to give it your all. Our technical Team in Sartory has used the time to work with the driver teams at the C3 WRC. Sébastien and Julien have with the unavoidable task is to open up the track, hard. But you have already demonstrated in the past that they are able to provide at this event, you are very loving, exceptional performance. For Esapekka and Janne are a number of rallies, you know better now. I have no doubt that you can continue where you load in Chile have is ceased, and continue to improve.“
World Cup drivers ‘ standings
1. S. Ogier, 122 Points
2. O. Tänak, 112
3. T. Neuville, 110
4. K. Meeke, 59
5. E. Evans, 55
6. S. Loeb, 39
7. A. Mikkelsen, 36
8. E. Lappi, 34
9. J.-M. Latvala, 32
10. T. Suninen, 30
Standings manufacturer standings
1. Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT, 178 points
2. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, 149
3. Citroën WRT Total, 143
4. M-Sport Ford WRT, 100
Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia, Citroën C3 WRC (photo: Citroën)
