A One-Two by Two Sebastians

The Citroën DS3 WRCs, driven by rising star Sébastien Ogier, who claimed his first WRC victory at this very rally one year ago, and Sébastien Loeb, the undisputed champion for an unprecedented seven consecutive years, secured a one-two finish.

On Day 3, the final day of Rally Portugal, they started in first and second place with a lead of over four minutes. Their objective for the day was not only to secure the one-two finish but also to earn bonus points on the Power Stage. The Power Stage, which began in slightly wet conditions, gradually dried as the cars ran. Although Petter Solberg topped two stages, it was Sébastien Loeb who set the fastest time on the final SS. Sébastien Ogier also finished third.

The eventual winner, Ogier, commented, "It was a perfect weekend. I controlled the first day well and pushed when it mattered. I was starting to get a bit frustrated after half a year without a win, so this one-two finish and the bonus points on the Power Stage are huge for the team. It's a fresh start. I was disappointed in Rally Mexico, but by securing these points here, I can restart my campaign for the annual championship. I want to thank the team for their full support. I'm happiest that we can celebrate this victory together as a team."

Sébastien Loeb finished in second place. With the additional points from the final stage, he earned 20 points, putting him level with Mikko Hirvonen in the drivers' title race.

"Our chances of winning disappeared yesterday. I lost 30 seconds due to the dust kicked up by Mikko's car. So, I had no choice but to aim for second place. I expected the Power Stage to be a tough battle, but I'm glad I managed to take the bonus three points. It's a significant result for us and for the entire team. The title race looks set to be fierce, so these three points are very valuable."

Citroën's General Manager, Frédéric Banzet, who accompanied the rally, praised the team: "A year ago, he exploded with joy after achieving his first WRC victory. The young driver, Sébastien Ogier, has grown to a new level this year. This overwhelming victory is the best proof of that. Loeb, who was hampered by the difficult conditions, also fought hard, and the Citroën DS3 WRC achieved its first one-two finish. This is a victory for the entire team, and a result we can proudly report to everyone who supports Citroën. We will continue to work hard to show you more one-two finishes!"