Sebastien Ogier has now won in Mexico a record seven times. No other driver has been able to do this.
21:14•Updated 22:19
Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier convincingly drove to victory in the World Rally Championship in Mexico. The Frenchman Ogier achieved his record seventh victory in Mexico. Ogier topped off his weekend by taking first place in the Power Stage.
Ogier was almost half a minute faster than the others, but Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Toyota Elfyn Evans fought until the end for second place. Neuville took second place, just 0.4 seconds behind Evans.
Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä placed fourth. Rovanperä struggled with his starting position throughout the race and could not get up to speed on Sunday either.
Ogier took the World Championship lead, Neuville is three points away in second place and Rovanperä is four points away in third place. Ford, who arrived in Mexico at the top of the World Cup Ott Tänak dropped to fourth.
Tänak suffered from technical problems with his car throughout the weekend and finished ninth.
Lapland experienced a crushing disappointment
Driving a Hyundai Esapekka Lapin the race ended in great disappointment on Saturday. Lapland started on Saturday in the lead, but drove out immediately in the first special stage of the day.
Lapland’s car ran wide in a right-hand bend, hit a bank and spun towards an electric pole.
– Very unfortunate and completely my mistake. This is admittedly hard to swallow, Lappi said.
The suspension tasted particularly bitter, because Lapland outright dominated the events in Friday’s special tests. He described Friday as perhaps the best race day of his entire rally career.
Lappi broke his car and did not return to the race on Sunday. Lappi, who switched to Hyundai for this year, also experienced a crash in the previous rally in Sweden. Self-confidence is guaranteed to be tested.
Emil Lindholm second in the WRC2 class
Driving in Mexico for the first time Emil Lindholm took second place in the WRC2 class. Driven to class victory Gus Greensmith was 32.9 seconds faster.
– The result is actually what we were aiming for. I have to admit that the result came because of other problems. But this is a rally where mistakes must be avoided, Lindholm said.
FINAL RESULTS OF MEXICO WORLD RALLY
1. Sebastien Ogier Toyota 3.16.09,4
2. Thierry Neuville Hyundai + 27.5
3. Elfyn Evans Toyota + 27.9
4. Kalle Rovanperä Toyota + 1.55,3
5. Dani Sordo Hyundai + 2.58.8
6. Gus Greensmith Skoda (WRC2) + 12.31.5
7. Emil Lindholm Skoda (WRC2) + 13.04,4
8. Oliver Solberg Skoda (WRC2) + 13.37,7
9. Ott Tänak Ford + 15.19,6
10. Kajetan Kajetanowicz Skoda (WRC2) + 15.56,6
WORLD SERIES SITUATION (3/13)
1. Ogier 56
2. Neuville 53
3. Rovanperä 52
4. Tänak 47
5. Evans 44
SITUATION OF MANUFACTURERS
1. Toyota 127
2. Hyundai 100
3. M-Sport 73