JYVASKYLA, Finland: France’s Sebastien Loeb won the Rally of Finland yesterday ahead of Finnish teammate Mikko Hirvonen, to give Citroen their fifth 1-2 of the season. Another Finn Jari-Matti Latvala finished third for Ford in the race which gave 38-year-old Loeb his 73rd career win and third in Finland after 2008, 2011 and 2012.
Eight-time world champion Loeb led throughout the three-day race, the 500th in the history of the championship, and extends his overall championship lead on Hirvonen to 48 points.
Hirvonen claimed an additional three points reserved for the winner of the Power Stage (SS18) and finished the race six seconds behind Loeb.
Loeb said he wasa very satisfied with his three days work.
“I didn’t come here especially to win, I came for points because it’s very difficult to beat the Finnish drivers,” he told wrc.com. “It was a great fight with Mikko, a one-two for Citroen and great for the championship.”
Hirvonen said for his part: “Sebastien was just faster and congratulations to him.
“Second position in Finland makes it even worse but if you do a perfect rally it is not enough against Sebastien. You have to do more because he is incredible.”
Citroen double as Loeb wins Rally of Finland
