Volkswagen works driver Sebastien Ogier (Polo R WRC #8) has won the Rally Portugal. I wouldnt have believed that was possible on Monday, when I was still pretty ill. This is a fantastic win, said the delighted Frenchman after his third World Championship victory in a row. That was really hard work, and we had to fight for every single second, added co-driver Julien Ingrassia. The duo was not to be denied the spectacular finish it deserved, turning on the style to win Almodovar 2at 52 kilometres the longest special stage of the year so far, and the Power Stage at the Rally Portugal. Ogier was rewarded for this success with an additional three World Championship points. With a total of 28 points, he has extended his lead at the top of the World Championship standings.

Team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala (Polo R WRC #7) ended the rally in third place. The Finn had started Sundays final leg in second, but was forced to surrender this position to Mikko Hirvonen (Citron) as a result of a broken driveshaft. I am overjoyed to be on the podium for the first time in the Polo R WRC, beamed Latvala. I hope to be able to challenge for the win at the next round of the World Championship in Argentina.

Andreas Mikkelsen (Norway) and his co-driver Mikko Markkula (Finland) also produced an impressive performance on their competitive debut in the Polo R WRC (#9). Only the pace notes, which are now prepared in English, posed a few minor problems. I dictated too much information, explained Mikkelsen. On the quick sections, Mikko can hardly read the notes fast enough and I cannot process everything I hear over the intercom. Sixth place overall on their first outing in Portugal is a great result for the newly-formed team.

The result at the Rally Portugal sees Volkswagen Motorsport move to the top of the standings in the Manufacturers World Championship.

Position

1. S Ogier / J. Ingrassia

2  M Hirvonen / J. Lehtinen

3  J. Latvala / M. Anttila

4  E. Novikov / I. Minor

5  N. Al-Attiyah / G. Bernacchini

6. A. Mikkelsen / M. Markkula