Ogier pilots Citroen to landmark win

French driver Sebastien Ogier won the ninth leg of the World Rally Championship, the Rally of Germany, in Trier yesterday to give Citroen a record-breaking 78th win in the sport.

The Citroen driver beat series leader and compatriot Sebastien Loeb, also in a Citroen, to record his sixth career win, while Spaniard Dani Sordo in a Mini was third.

Ogier’s victory – which sees him move into second place in the standings 25 points adrift of his team-mate – ended a run of eight successive wins in the race by seven-time world champion Loeb.

Loeb – who recorded the first of his 66 career wins to date in this Rally in 2002 – did however have the consolation of winning the race-ending super-special stage which gives extra points.

Ogier – who had been annoyed on Friday when he had been ordered by team chiefs to stay behind Loeb – said he was undaunted by the points gap between him and his compatriot.

“As long as there is a mathematical chance of winning the world title, I will continue to believe in it,” he said.

“Seb is driving fast, he is consistent, and he doesn’t often make mistakes. He is always on the podium but there are still four rally races remaining and many things can still happen.”

The 10th leg of the 13-race world series is in Australia from September 8-11.