Grönholm celebrates in Monte Carlo

No.1 Ford driver's tactics hold pursuer Loeb behind

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Rally driver Marcus Grönholm had the best possible start to his season with a new team, Ford. Grönholm's first-ever victory in Monte Carlo - probably the most famous of all the World Rally Championship races - also marked the Finn's first-ever win on asphalt, even if the asphalt in the Monte Carlo Rally is often covered with snow, sleet, and ice.
     
For two days, Grönholm managed to cling on to the time difference generated between him and Sebastién Loeb on the first evening of the rally, when the Frenchman drove off the road. Under current WRC rules, Loeb took a five-minute penalty and carried on.
      After that, Grönholm did not even try to be the fastest man on the track. The main goal was drive safely and at a speed that did not allow the Frenchman to catch up too much. Loeb in turn clocked ten of the fastest times on special stages, but by the end the Finn still had a comfortable lead of more than a minute to Loeb, who eventually came in second.
     
Grönholm was satisfied but not overjoyed with his first victory in Monte Carlo, after six previous attempts. His co-pilot Timo Rautiainen confessed that it was only Loeb's skidding off the road that made the win possible.
      For Finland the whole rally went well, as Toni Gardemeister came in third, while Mikko Hirvonen secured seventh place.
      "I still hate driving here, you know. Choosing the right tyres was a nightmare. As far as road conditions go, for me this was the most difficult Monte Carlo Rally yet", Grönholm confessed.
      The WRC season continues next in Sweden, where full-on winter conditions are to be expected. "It is my favourite race. Up there, Loeb really will have to drive to take the gravy", Grönholm boasted.


Links:
  World Rally Championship

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