FIA World Rally ChampionshipOgier and Mikkelsen on the podium in Argentina
Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger (N/N) finished second and third at the Rally Argentina to score valuable points in the FIA World Rally Championship. In the end, just 14.3 seconds separated world champion Ogier from winners Hayden Paddon/John Kennard (NZ/NZ, Hyundai). Second place marked the fourth podium finish in a row this season for the Frenchmen. After opening the season with two victories at the Rally Monte Carlo and in Sweden, Ogier/Ingrassia finished runners-up last time out in Mexico. Mikkelsen was third, 50.9 seconds behind Ogier. This also represents the best result of his career to date in Argentina. Ogier leads the Drivers’ Championship with 96 points ahead of Paddon (57), while Mikkelsen now lies fourth with 48 points. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, the Volkswagen Motorsport team tops the overall standings with 117 points. Hyundai trail in second with 81 points. The next round of the FIA World Rally Championship will take place in Portugal from 19 to 22 May.
TCR International SeriesImpressive start for Leopard Racing with the Golf GTI TCR in Estoril
The Leopard Racing customer team enjoyed a fine debut with its new 330-hp Volkswagen GTI TCR, as the Circuito Estoril in Portugal hosted the TCR International Series for the first time. Jean-Karl Vernay (F) and Stefano Comini (CH) finished second and third in race one. Comini also produced a great display in the second race, first climbing into third place and then hanging onto that position until the chequered flag. Vernay was involved in a collision, through no fault of his own, after which he was unable to call on the full power of his Golf GTI TCR. Despite this, he still came home a respectable fifth. “We made impressive progress, far exceeding our expectations,” said Comini after the race. “We are improving gradually. All that is missing now is a win.”
FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipVolkswagen youngsters Eriksson and Zhou on top form again in Hungary
Following their successful start to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, with two podium finishes, Volkswagen youngsters Joel Eriksson (S) and Guanyu Zhou (CN) of the Motopark Racing team backed up their early form in Hungary. Eriksson made two appearances on the podium at the Hungaroring, finishing second and third (races three and one), while Zhou finished runner-up in race two. Niko Kari (FIN) rounded off a successful race weekend for Volkswagen with his second place in race one. Victories went to Ralf Aron (EST), Maximilian Günther (D) and Ben Barnicoat (GB). After six races, Eriksson is currently the best-placed Volkswagen driver in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. He lies third with 58 points to his name. Eriksson (91 points) and Zhou (90) are also first and second in the rookie standings. The next race weekend is in Pau, France, on 14/15 May.
Next up:
29/04–01/05/2016TCR Germany, Sachsenring (D)
28/04–01/05/2016Volkswagen Polo Cup Russia, Puschkinskije Gory (RUS)
30/04–01/05/2016Volkswagen Racing Cup UK, Rockingham (GB)
29/04–30/04/2016Volkswagen Fun Cup Belgium, Dijon-Prenois (F)
