48 RALLY RACC CATALUNYA COSTA DAURADA - FINAL FLOURISH IN SPAIN
The final round of the 2012 World Rally Championship, Rally de Espana will also see Sbastien Loeb and Daniel Elenas last full season in WRC draw to a close.
For the Citron Total World Rally Team, it will be very much the end of an era, and one which has seen nine consecutive Drivers World Championships* won by the Franco- Monegasque crew. It goes without saying that Seb and Daniel will be looking to finish the year in style in Catalonia, just like their teammates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, recent winners of Rally Italia.
Part of the WRC calendar since 1991, this year sees Rally de Espana play host to the finale of the World RallyChampionship for the first time. Although the titles and the main podium places have been decided, the event looksset to be a huge end-of-year party, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of the rally-mad Catalan fans. The rally keepsthe mixed surface format adopted in 2010, the first leg being held on gravel, followed by two days on tarmac. Thereare several new features in 2012, the most significant being that the ceremonial start will now be held in Barcelona onThursday evening and there is a new stage on the seafront in Salou, the seaside resort hosting the service park.
After Sbastien Loeb, Daniel Elena and Citron won the WRC titles at the Rallye de France Alsace, Mikko Hirvonenand Jarmo Lehtinen confirmed that they would finish the year as runners-up by winning in Sardinia. Although Loeb andHirvonen have almost become accustomed to finishing first and second at the end of the season, this one-two finish inthe Drivers World Championship is a first for the Brand.
Just as in Italy, both Citron crews will be focussed solely on going for the win. Unbeaten in Catalonia since 2005, Seband Daniel have won the event seven times running, making them the hot favourites here. Just like in Sardinia, I thinkwe'll all be pumped up to try and win. Im not here to finish fourth or fifth, nor is Mikko, and those behind us in thestandings will also want to finish the year with a good result. Although the titles are no longer up for grabs, itll still beinteresting, predicted Sbastien Loeb. As he prepared to finish his last full season, the nine-time World Championappeared to be just as philosophical as usual: A chapter is undoubtedly set to close this weekend. Ill be in Monte-Carlo when the 2013 championship gets underway, but it wont be the same. I dont think that I feel any regret orsadness, because my decision to stop rallying doesn't signal the end of my racing career. With Citron, we arepreparing to take on new challenges and I am really looking forward to committing fully to them. For the time being,however, lets try and win this Rally de Espana!
On the podium in Germany and in France, Mikko Hirvonen would love to do at least as well here, to finish the 2012season strongly: My aim is to move up another step to get closer to Sbastien. If I manage to battle even if its only alittle bit with him, then that would mean I would have made another big step forwards. We moved in the rightdirection in France and weve kept on working since then. This week, for example, I spent a day driving a single-seaterto help me to improve my braking and racing lines.
After winning nine rallies this season, including five one-two finishes, our crews have all the tools they need to improveCitrons score, added Yves Matton, Citron Racing Team Principal. Obviously, Catalonia is one of Sebs favouritevenues, but were all expectantly waiting to see how much Mikko has progressed since the last rally. Winning herewould be fantastic, especially as it would be the 250th WRC win for our partner Michelin.
* Subject to publication of the official results
THREE QUESTIONS FOR MIKKO HIRVONEN
Lets look back at Rally Sardegna, where you won your first WRCrally with Citron. What did it mean to you?We started this rally focussed solely on going for the win. Everythingwent well, from start to finish: the starting positions, tyre choice, the firstfew stages when we had enough pace to be fighting for first placeWhen Sbastien and the others made mistakes, we had to take a moredefensive approach. All we had to do was to maintain our lead In theend, we had a perfect weekend and I was really pleased with this result,for me, for Jarmo and for the entire team.
Does this win boost your confidence, looking ahead to 2013, to go on and secure a first world title?To be honest, I had hoped that the scrap with Sbastien would last longer. I need this kind of contest, where there'sjust seconds between the leaders, to keep improving. When I have a big lead and just need to hold position, I can dothat. I have been in that type of situation on enough occasions in the past to stay calm and focussed. I think that therewill be more close contests in 2013, and there will undoubtedly be a new World Champion at the end of the year. Thisfirst win with Citron helps me to visualise what I hope next season will look like.
The Rally de Espana is the only WRC event to adopt a mixed surface format, with one day on gravel and two ontarmac. Do you like this format?This may come as a surprise, but Id rather that the entire rally was held on tarmac roads. The stages on the Friday areenjoyable enough, but I feel that the true nature of this event resides in its sweeping circuit-style roads. It would bebetter to have three full days on these stages.
