FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)Volkswagen celebrates one-two victory in Finland
Volkswagen’s Finnish duo Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila celebrated an emotional home win at the Rally Finland in front of tens of thousands of fans. Latvala and Anttila claimed the best time on half of all the Special Stages during the fastest World Championship rally ever with an average speed of 125.44 km/h. At the end of the event, they finished 13.7 seconds ahead of their team-mates Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia (F/F), who gave Volkswagen a one-two victory in Finland by claiming second place. “I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am,” said Latvala. “This win means all the more to me after all the ups and downs this season.” The win puts Latvala (93 points) in second place in the drivers’ standings after eight of the 13 WRC rallies. Reigning World Champion Ogier is currently in the lead with 182 points. Volkswagen is first in the Manufacturers’ Championship with 257 points, ahead of Citroën (141). The ninth leg of the FIA World Rally Championship, the Rally Germany, will take place between 20 and 23 August.
FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipGiovinazzi extends his overall lead in Spielberg
The weekend’s racing in Spielberg (A) proved successful for Antonio Giovinazzi (I), who claimed three podium finishes in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Despite heavy rain and the early termination of race three, the Italian from team Jagonya Ayam with Carlin nabbed his fifth win of the season in race three. Half of the points (12.5) went to Giovinazzi as a result. The leader put in an impressive performance in the two other races as well, finishing race one in third place and taking second in race two. This allowed Giovinazzi to extend his lead in Europe’s most important junior racing series. All in all, junior drivers powered by Volkswagen notched up one win, four podium finishes and 19 top-ten results in Spielberg. Giovinazzi (Dallara-Volkswagen, 333.5 points) is now leading in the overall standings, 20.5 points ahead of Felix Rosenqvist (S, Dallara-Mercedes, 313) and 29 ahead of Charles Leclerc (MC, Dallara-Volkswagen, 304.5). Legs 25 to 27 will be held in the Portuguese town of Portimão between 04 and 06 September.
Volkswagen Racing Cup Great BritainMason and Epps win at Brands Hatch
Aaron Mason (GB) and Michael Epps (GB) emerged as the winners of the two races held during the fifth meeting of the Volkswagen Racing Cup UK at Brands Hatch. Having gone without a win for the first four race weekends this season, the overall winner from 2013 initially led the pack in race one. On the first lap, Mason passed Tom Onslow-Cole (GB), who had started from pole position, and then benefitted from a long safety car phase. Second place went to Phil House (GB), while Onslow-Cole had to settle for third. Onslow-Cole drew the short straw in race two as well, with Epps crossing the finishing line first, having last put in an impressive weekend’s racing at Spa (B) with two wins. Third place went to Lucas Orrock (GB). The next two races in the Volkswagen Racing Cup UK will be held at Snetterton (UK) on 22 and 23 August.
Next up:
07/08–09/08/2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship, Trois-Rivieres (CAN)
07/08–08/08/2015Volkswagen Polo Cup Russia, Rally Vyborg (RUS)
08/08–09/08/2015Engen Volkswagen Cup South Africa, Zwartkops (ZA)
07/08–09/08/2015Volkswagen Vento Cup India, Kari Motor Speedway (IND)
