Thierry and Nicolas cement hard-fought fourth
Rally México, the third round of the 2019 WRC season, delivered another handful of important championship points for our team with Thierry/Nicolas finishing in fourth place and Dani/Carlos in ninth.
Sunday’s itinerary included Alfaro (21km), Mesa Cuata (25.07km) and the rally-ending repeat run through Las Minas (10.72km).
There was little drama on the final day with all crews focused on bringing home as many points as possible after a learning weekend for the team. Thierry and Dani both added to their individual championship totals for finishing third and fourth in the Power Stage.
Honest reflections
“These are not the results we come to WRC events to achieve, but we cannot be frustrated or even disappointed,” said our Team Director Andrea. “Our Rally México was affected from the opening day, and it was damage limitation ever since.”
In a spirited start, Andrea and Anders took two stage wins on Friday’s opening loop and led the rally. Unfortunately, in the repeat of the El Chocolate stage, the crew was forced to stop as a result of damage caused by hitting a stone.
“It is important that we look at the many positives from this weekend,” said Andreas. “The i20 Coupe WRC performed much more to my liking, and that was reflected in our competitive stage times on Friday.”
Dani and Carlos also showed rally leading potential, holding second place before an electrical issue stopped them on the road section after the afternoon’s Ortega stage.
Hopes punctured
A slow puncture on Friday’s first stage had put Thierry and Nicolas down to ninth overall. They fought back with tenacity to end the opening day with a stage win. Our Belgians continued to make up ground as we enjoyed more stage wins on Saturday evening. Andreas and Anders led a 1-2-3 in the V-Power Shell Stage at the Autodromo León, before Dani headed up a repeat result in the León street stage.
“That was not the weekend we wanted,” said Thierry. “From the puncture early on Friday morning, and with our road position, it has been a really challenging event from start to finish. We have to put this rally to one side and re-group ready for Corsica.”
Dani added: “I have enjoyed driving the stages this weekend, and we’ve had amazing support from the crowds, even if the end result was not what we could have achieved. We were fighting at the front on Friday until our problems so the potential is definitely there.”
Next up on the WRC calendar is Tour de Corse, the first complete tarmac rally of the 2019 season, taking place March 28-31. We will field a three-crew line-up with Thierry/Nicolas, Dani/Carlos and Sébastien /Daniel.
Final Overall Classification – Rally México
1 S. Ogier / J. Ingrassia (Citroën C3 WRC) 3:37:08.0
2 O. Tänak / M. Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +30.2
3 E. Evans / S. Martin (Ford Fiesta WRC) +49.9
4 T. Neuville / N. Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:27.0
5 K. Meeke / S. Marshall (Toyota Yaris WRC) +6:06.2
6 B. Guerra / J. Zapata (Škoda Fabia R5) +15:35.5
7 M. Bulacia / F. Cretu (Škoda Fabia R5) +18:51.5
8 J.M Latvala / M. Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +18:55.9
9 D. Sordo / C. del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +22:44.1
10 R. Triviño / M. Martí (Škoda Fabia R5) +26:21.7
2019 FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers’ Standings
After round 3
1 O. Tanak 65
2 S. Ogier 61
3 T. Neuville 55
4 K. Meeke 35
5 E. Evans 28
6 E. Lappi 20
7 S.Loeb 18
8 J.M Latvala 14
9 A. Mikkelsen 12
2019 FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers’ Standings
After round 3
1 Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team 86
2 Citroën Total World Rally Team 78
3 Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team 77
4 M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 45
All results remain subject to official FIA confirmation.
