Systems running perfectly – Volkswagen warms up nicely for Rally Spain on Shakedown

◾Three-time world champions* Ogier/Ingrassia fastest Volkswagen driver◾Second, sixth and seventh for the Polo R WRC in “Free Practice”◾Opening special stage against wonderful backdrop in Barcelona on Thursday evening

 Warm-up done, bring on the Rally Spain: Volkswagen opened its campaign at the penultimate race of this season’s FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in good form. Three-time world champions* Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) were the fastest pair in a Polo R WRC in “Free Practice”, clocking the second-fastest time overall. Their team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) were sixth fastest, while Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) ended the Shakedown ahead of the Rally Spain in seventh place.

However, the 2.97-kilometre circuit near the Service Park in Salou was not particularly representative of the kind of challenges the teams will face over the course of the rally. The variation between Friday’s gravel stages and the asphalt stages on Saturday and Sunday make the Rally Spain a unique event on the WRC calendar. As well as the drivers having to adapt their driving style from gravel to asphalt mode, the mechanics have just 75 minutes on Friday evening to basically convert a rally car to a racing car.

Before then, the Rally Spain opens with a spectacular special stage in Barcelona on Thursday evening. The capital of Catalonia hosts the dramatic first act – the 3.2-kilometre stage at the foot of Montjuïc – from 18:08 local time.

* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA.