Marcus Grönholm enjoys change of luck in Sardinia
Hirvonen secures 1-2 finish for Finland as Loeb crashes out from comfortable lead
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Swearing, uncertainty, confusion, and delight in victory. Such were the shifting emotions of Marcus Grönholm (Ford) of Finland, before he was confirmed as the winner of this year’s Rally Sardinia.
After three straight win in this season's WRC races in Mexico, Portugal, and Argentina, Sebastien Loeb of France showed that he is a mere mortal after all. During the first special stage of the final day of the Rally of Sardinia, the Citroën pilot crashed out from a clear and probably unassailable lead. Mikko Hirvonen, on the other hand, secured a 1-2 finish for Finland and Ford.
"Finally we had a change of luck. I am not sure if this was a deserved win, but let's say it was a fair one. After all, we have had our own fair share of bad luck this season", Grönholm commented after the race.
Grönholm’s 27th career victory was his second of the current season. In this year’s WRC drivers' table he has 55 points and is now in the lead, with seven points separating him from Loeb. Hirvonen, in third place, trails 11 points behind his teammate and fellow countryman, but within striking distance of Loeb if he should slip up again.
"One must not draw any conclusions from the points lead. Let’s just continue the same way. There are no alternatives", Grönholm added.
Late into Saturday night, Grönholm waited with great anxiety for the competition jury’s decision as to whether he would be punished for losing a spare tyre during the eighth special stage. The jury heard both Grönholm and the Ford team before they allowed the Finn to escape the mishap unpunished. According to the rulebook, a car should return from a special stage with the same number of wheels it took off with.
In Grönholm’s case, there were mitigating circumstances. The metal wire holding the wheel in place snapped in the middle of the race, plus Grönholm was forced to finish one special stage with a broken tyre.
"The jury’s decision showed sportsmanship", said a relieved and grateful Grönholm.
Loeb's misfortune was to hit a rock on the first special stage on Sunday morning. The incident wrecked his suspension, and he was forced to pull out while leading by over half a minute. Grönholm admitted that Sunday for him was more about securing second spot than challenging for victory.
After the race Hirvonen joked about finishing second. "It makes a nice change after always coming home third. It is comforting to see that even Loeb is capable of making mistakes."
After three straight win in this season's WRC races in Mexico, Portugal, and Argentina, Sebastien Loeb of France showed that he is a mere mortal after all. During the first special stage of the final day of the Rally of Sardinia, the Citroën pilot crashed out from a clear and probably unassailable lead. Mikko Hirvonen, on the other hand, secured a 1-2 finish for Finland and Ford.
"Finally we had a change of luck. I am not sure if this was a deserved win, but let's say it was a fair one. After all, we have had our own fair share of bad luck this season", Grönholm commented after the race.
Grönholm’s 27th career victory was his second of the current season. In this year’s WRC drivers' table he has 55 points and is now in the lead, with seven points separating him from Loeb. Hirvonen, in third place, trails 11 points behind his teammate and fellow countryman, but within striking distance of Loeb if he should slip up again.
"One must not draw any conclusions from the points lead. Let’s just continue the same way. There are no alternatives", Grönholm added.
Late into Saturday night, Grönholm waited with great anxiety for the competition jury’s decision as to whether he would be punished for losing a spare tyre during the eighth special stage. The jury heard both Grönholm and the Ford team before they allowed the Finn to escape the mishap unpunished. According to the rulebook, a car should return from a special stage with the same number of wheels it took off with.
In Grönholm’s case, there were mitigating circumstances. The metal wire holding the wheel in place snapped in the middle of the race, plus Grönholm was forced to finish one special stage with a broken tyre.
"The jury’s decision showed sportsmanship", said a relieved and grateful Grönholm.
Loeb's misfortune was to hit a rock on the first special stage on Sunday morning. The incident wrecked his suspension, and he was forced to pull out while leading by over half a minute. Grönholm admitted that Sunday for him was more about securing second spot than challenging for victory.
After the race Hirvonen joked about finishing second. "It makes a nice change after always coming home third. It is comforting to see that even Loeb is capable of making mistakes."
Helsingin Sanomat