Between gravel and asphalt numerous incidents marked the Citroën Total World Rally Team’s first day on the Argentinean roads. After 160 timed kilometers, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia arehandily placed in third spot under thirty seconds behind the leader. Despite setting two fastest times, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena were unable to do better than fifth due to their one-minute penalty.
The first day of Rally Argentina was based around its bestknown stages like Mina Clavero / Giulio Cesare and El Condor, and also included long sectors on asphalt It was a first in this event and the mixed conditions represented a real challenge in tyre management.
After setting the best time in the Carlos Paz super special on Thursday afternoon, Sébastien Loeb,the championship leader, was first out on the road today. The five-time winner of the event was on the pace on the very sandy roads during the first loop, until he was given one-minute penalty at the entrance to the first regrouping park for clocking in early.
“It wasn’t very clear. There were a lot of people at the time control and the check in sign wasn’tvisible. Daniel handed in his time card at the exact time but we were still given a one-minutepenalty. Now the gap is pretty big in the overall classification. I can’t say that it’s been a great daybut we’ll continue to push. Our fastest time in the final stage shows that we can still get among thefront-runners.”
Without letting up, and setting the fastest time in the final stage, the seven-time world championfinished the loop 1m30.3s behind the leader, Jari-Matti Latvala. “We had a good run withoutmaking any big mistakes,” Loeb insisted this evening “Being first out on the road washandicapping, above all in the second loop when sweeping was at its most important.”
Sébastien Ogier was third this morning and he was fighting at the front all day despite a punctureon the asphalt in the El Condor stage (SS4), and a spin in the afternoon (SS5). He finished thefirst day of the rally in third place 28.8s behind the leader, just behind another Citroën DS3 WRCdriven by Petter Solberg.
“We were always on the pace even if we were not at our best on the asphalt,” said Ogier. “We hada puncture this morning and I think I was maybe a bit over-cautious this afternoon. We’re in a very good position for tomorrow. The second day is taking place on roads that suit me a lot better even if it’ll be my first time racing on them. I hope that sweeping will help us a little. I have to find a good feeling right from the start so that I can push. I know we can win”
Olivier Quesnel, the Citroën Racing Team Principal added: “I know that Sébastien Ogier likes thestages on the second day. He’s going to push and he’s got every chance even if we know it’ll becomplicated as he’s up against drivers who have much more experience in Argentina. We canexpect a good scrap. I know Sébastien Loeb and I’m sure he’ll be able to get back into contentionbetween now and Sunday afternoon. Everybody could be surprised. I think he can still fight forvictory.”
1 JM. Latvala / M. Anttila Ford Fiesta RS WRC 1h48m59.7s2 P. Solberg / C. Patterson Citroën DS3 WRC +18.2s3 S. Ogier / J. Ingrassia Citroën DS3 WRC +28.8s4 M. Hirvonen / J. Lehtinen Ford Fiesta RS WRC +43.5s5 S. Loeb / D. Elena Citroën DS3 WRC +1m30.3s6 M. Ostberg / J. Andersson Ford Fiesta RS WRC +2m 55.2s7 M. Wilson / S. Martin Ford Fiesta RS WRC +3m 27.4s8 F. Villagra / J. Perez Companc Ford Fiesta RS WRC +3m 40.9s9 K. Block / A. Gelsomino Ford Fiesta RS WRC +6m 04.8s10 H. Paddon / J. Kennard Subaru Impreza +11m 49.6s
