The Citroën Total World Rally Team continues to dominate Rally de España, but it is now Sébastien Loeb who has taken a slim advantage. The Frenchman is just 1.5 seconds ahead of team-mate Dani Sordo, while Mikko Hirvonen trails in third position, 48.5 seconds behind his Championship rival.
Today’s route took in two loops of three stages covering 127.98 competitive kilometres. Another dry and hot day ensured conditions were consistent, however dirt and gravel pulled on to the roads from the incessant corner cutting made for slippery and tricky conditions. Citroen Junior Team driver Evgeny Novikov was one of the leading retirements, the Russian crashing in the first stage.
Loeb started the day just 1.6 seconds adrift of Sordo, however fastest time in the opening stage resulted in the team-mates being equal in the overall classification. Throughout the day they battled hard and traded the lead until Loeb took the advantage in the final stage. Both he and Sordo have run without problems during the day and are poised to reclaim the Manufacturers’ title for Citroën after losing out to Ford over the last two seasons.
Hirvonen has settled into third position and looks set to retain his Championship lead going into the final and decisive round in Great Britain. The Finn has been closer to the pace today, but is seemingly unable to match the Citroën drivers on the fast and flowing Spanish roads. Petter Solberg remains fourth, 22.4 seconds adrift of Hirvonen. Sébastien Ogier has enjoyed a competitive day, the reigning Junior World Rally Champion setting two fastest times to extend his advantage over sixth-placed Jari-Matti Latvala. With the retirement of Novikov, Britain’s Matthew Wilson has moved into seventh and Federico Villagra rounds off the top eight.
Rally de España - Results after Day 2
1. Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena2. Dani Sordo/Marc Marti3. Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen4. Petter Solberg/Phil Mills5. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia6. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila7. Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin8. Federico Villagra/Jorge P Companc
