RALLY ITALIA SARDEGNA 18-21/10/2012
Just two weeks after the Rallye de France, the WRC moves on to Sardinia for the penultimate round of the season. Having already secured theManufacturers' and Drivers titles*, the Citron Total World Rally Team and the Sbastien Loeb/Daniel Elena crew could relax and take it easy atthis rally. But they'll be doing nothing of the sort the French team will definitely be going for the win! Having amassed a fine collection of podiumfinishes in 2012, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will also be looking for the win, which would ensure they finish as World Championship runners-up.
A WRC event since 2004, the Rally Italia Sardegna has earned itself a reputation as a demanding rally, with a courseon relatively rough gravel and sandy roads, concentrated in the north of the island. After six years of being held in thespring, the Italian round is being held again this year in the autumn, which may well affect the road conditions.Winners on four occasions from seven starts, Sbastien Loeb and Daniel Elena have enjoyed a good rate of success atthis rally. Last year, when strategies were still affected by the issue of sweeping, they produced one of their finestperformances of the year to claim a win that proved decisive for the outcome of the championship. In 2012, theFranco-Monegasque crew are certainly under no pressure to perform well here. Having wrapped up the title at theRallye de France, Seb and Daniel will very simply be looking for a 76th career WRC win. It is true that they areaccustomed to this situation: in 2010, after winning the WRC title in Alsace for the first time, they then went on to winthe final two rounds of the season, in Spain and Wales.
When I line up at the start, my goal is to achieve the best possible result, and therefore to win, confirmed SbastienLoeb. I want to enjoy myself when driving and to push so that I make the most of what will be one of my last WorldChampionship rallies. Sardinia is a tough event, and I remember having had some great scraps here against rivals whohave always been very quick on this surface. We have seen in the last few rallies that were not head and shouldersabove the rest, so well have to fight hard if we want to win!
While Sbastien Loeb has racked up eight wins this season, Mikko Hirvonen has scored eight podium finishes. TheFinn has also finished as runner-up in Sardinia for the last five years running, which makes him one of the events topspecialists. This year, finally, I would love to win, assured Mikko. Although third position would be enough to makesure I finish as runner-up in the World Championship, Id rather do it in style. We have done an awful lot of work withthe team to try and match my driving style to the set-up of the DS3 WRC. After having made a breakthrough on tarmacat the last rally, I hope to improve further on gravel.
We have just experienced one of the highlights of our professional lives at the Rallye de France, recalled YvesMatton, Citron Racing Team Principal. But there are still two events left to complete, and the pressure is by nomeans off for them. Although it is not part of the mindset of the people who work at Citron Racing, I asked the teamnot to ease off. Our goal for this rally is clear: we will be aiming for our sixth one-two finish of the season! As ever, ourcrews will be free to run the race as they see fit. I hope Mikko will be able to fight for the win. He deserves it, becausewe owe him a lot for the two titles we have won this season.
* Subject to publication of the official results
THREE QUESTIONS FOR SBASTIEN LOEB
Before looking ahead to Sardinia, lets look back at the ninth WRC title you won in Alsace. That must have beena very special moment for you?I had experienced it two years ago and I wanted to experience it again. It was even more intense this time, given that itwas my last world title... in rallying, at least. Daniel and I have often said to one another that we have to make themost of these moments, because we won't experience anything like it again. On the other hand, it is my decision tostop, so I dont feel bitter. I know that other big challenges lie ahead. There were quite a few emotional moments,especially on Sunday when we went through the places near to where I grew up. I was taken aback by how manypeople turned out to support me throughout the whole week in Alsace, during reconnaissance, the stages and at thepodium. It is mad how popular rallying has become in Alsace and I would suggest that this is certainly not the last timeI will be taking part at this event!
What is your mindset for the last two rounds, now that you have won your ninth Drivers' title and Citron haswon the Manufacturers Championship for the eighth time?When I compete in a rally, my aim is to win it. Otherwise, I might as well stay at home! The same goes for the entireCitron team. Its certainly true that after winning the titles, the tension has eased somewhat. There was a widespreadsense of relief after we won in France, because everybody was waiting expectantly for it to happen. We still had to do itthough, and nothing was easy in the car. In Sardinia, well feel less pressure and well be able to enjoy ourselves. Its sonice and rare to be able to compete in a rally without having to worry about managing things. Once again, well enjoy itif we win!
Is that the kind of mindset you will have when competing in rallies next season?As far as Im concerned, the story finished in Alsace when we won the two titles. The two remaining rallies are abonus. In 2013, we are going to enter a few rounds of the WRC and well be aiming to win more rallies. But thepressure will be different. 2013 will nonetheless be a busy year, as we'll need to work on the WTCC project in additionto this partial WRC programme.
RALLY ITALIA SARDEGNA ITINERARY
THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER10.35am: Qualifying Stage12.30pm: Selection of start order1.30pm: FIA Pre-Event Press Conference (Olbia Service Park)3.00pm: Cars leave parc ferme4.13pm: SS1 Terranova (28.14km)6.16pm: SS2 Terranova (28.14km)7.30pm: Service Park A (45 min)8.15pm: Parc ferme
FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER7.00am: Service Park B (15 min)8.43am: SS3 Monte Lerno (29.68km)11.34am: SS4 Castelsardo (14.12km)12.24pm: SS5 Tergu Osilo (14.88km)1.28pm: Remote Service C (Sassari 15 min)2.46pm: SS6 Castelsardo (14.12km)3.36pm: SS7 Tergu Osilo (14.88km)5.50pm: SS8 Monte Lerno (29.68km)7.30pm: Service Park D (45 min)8.15pm: Parc ferme
SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER8.00am: Service Park E (15 min)9.28am: SS9 Coiluna Loelle (29.35km)10.35am: SS10 Monti di Ala (14.49km)11.37am: SS11 Monte Olia (14.12km)1.05pm: Service Park F (30 min)2.48pm: SS12 Coiluna Loelle (29.35km)3.55pm: SS13 Monti di Ala (14.49km)4.57pm: SS11 Monte Olia (14.12km)6.00pm: Service Park G (45 min)
SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER8.30am: Service Park H (15 min)9.20am: SS15 Gallura (8.24km)11.00am: SS16 Gallura Power Stage (8.24km)11.58am: Service Park I (10 min)12.45pm: Podium (Porto Cervo)1.30pm: Post-Event Press Conference (Porto Cervo Conference Center)
