The French Sebastien Ogier (Volkswagen Polo R WRC), world rally champion for the last three years, reinforced his leadership in the general classification by obtaining his third victory today in Sweden, second in the 2016 World Championship, after leading the race during the three days of the test, disputed in difficult conditions of ice and snow.
Ogier, who had just won in Monte Carlo – the first round of the championship – and has already won three victories in the Swedish rally (he also won in 2013 and 2015), beat, with a cumulative time of 1h59: 47, New Zealander Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) , second overall, at 29.8 seconds, and Norwegian Mads Ostberg (Ford Fiesta), third at 55.6 seconds.
The “Power Stage”, the last special of the rally, did nothing but confirm the dominance of the French, who was again the fastest and scored the three extra points with 3.4 seconds of difference over his Volkswagen partner, the Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen.
“It has been a wonderful weekend,” Ogier said. “I love the rally in Sweden. The organizers have done an incredible job. Two rallies and two wins, it’s a great start to the year. Yesterday I took a lot of risks and I was very lucky ».
Paddon, who had a close duel with Ogier throughout the weekend, suffered a small mishap on this last stage when he suffered the impact of a wooden beacon on the radiator, when rounding a corner, and finished sixth in the special, but kept second place overall.
Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai Motosport) finished sixth with 2:24 minutes behind the winner, flavored with disappointment: “My rally ended yesterday when I suffered the puncture. Today I drove very slow because I wanted to maintain this position for the points, “he said. EFE
Ogier reinforces his lead with his third win in Sweden
