SALOU, Spain: Frenchman Sebastien Ogier’s cruise to a fourth successive world rally championship edged even closer when his Volkswagen teammate and title rival Andreas Mikkelsen crashed out of the Rally of Catalonia on Saturday.
Mikkelsen had been lying in third in the race when he smashed into a barrier on the 12th speed stage and flipped his Polo R before coming to a stop against a tree.
Thankfully the Norwegian and his co-pilot were unhurt, but won’t take part in the rest of Saturday’s racing meaning Mikkelsen cannot now catch Ogier.
For Ogier to be denied the title, he would have to miss out on the points this weekend and the remaining two races of the season, whilst Belgian Thierry Neuville needs to win all the remaining races plus the power stage at each rally.
Mikkelsen’s retirement allowed Neuville to move up to third in the race, but he remains behind Ogier, who closed the gap on race leader Dani Sordo to just 5.2 seconds by winning the 10th, 11th and 12th speed test.
Mikkelsen had been lying in third in the race when he smashed into a barrier on the 12th speed stage and flipped his Polo R before coming to a stop against a tree.
Thankfully the Norwegian and his co-pilot were unhurt, but won’t take part in the rest of Saturday’s racing meaning Mikkelsen cannot now catch Ogier.
For Ogier to be denied the title, he would have to miss out on the points this weekend and the remaining two races of the season, whilst Belgian Thierry Neuville needs to win all the remaining races plus the power stage at each rally.
Mikkelsen’s retirement allowed Neuville to move up to third in the race, but he remains behind Ogier, who closed the gap on race leader Dani Sordo to just 5.2 seconds by winning the 10th, 11th and 12th speed test.
