2018 Rally Mexico: Loeb was close, victory for Sebastien Ogier

Sebastien Ogier wins the 15th Rally Guanajuato Mexico, the third round of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship. The driver of the #1 M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta WRC climbs to the top podium spot for the second time this season and 42nd time in a career. For Ogier, it’s the fourth victory in Mexico.

The defending world champion has been joined on a podium by Dani Sordo (Hyundai) and Kris Meeke (Citroen). Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) finished in the fourth place, ahead of nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier who returned to the WRC for the first time since 2015 Rallye Monte-Carlo as a part of the three-event schedule with Citroen.

Sebastien Loeb returned to WRC after three years

Loeb is one of five drivers who was in the lead on Rally Mexico. He took the lead on Saturday morning’s Stage 11 (Guanajuatito) and stayed in the lead for three stages. His luck came to an end in the afternoon’s pass through the Guanajuatito stage when he stopped because of a puncture and lost more than two minutes, dropping to P5.

On the same stage, the second-placed Dani Sordo also had a slow puncture, losing thirty seconds and dropping to P3. Loeb’s and Sordo’s misfortune promoted Sebastien Ogier into the lead and he stayed in front until the end.

During three Sunday’s stages, one more change occurred among the top drivers when Kris Meeke had a half-roll at SS20, dropping to P3 behind Dani Sordo.

Dani Sordo brings his Hyundai to second place

Other points scorers in the general classification are Thierry Neuville (6th, Hyundai), Pontus Tidemand (7th, Škoda Fabia R5), Jari-Matti Latvala (8th, Toyota), Gus Greensmith (9th, Ford Fiesta R5) and Pedro Heller (10th, Ford Fiesta R5). The defending WRC2 champion Tidemand scored his first WRC2 win this season.

Toyota’s Ott Tanak, who retired on Saturday due to mechanical issues, earned five points by winning the Power Stage, ahead of Ogier, Latvala, Neuville and Mikkelsen.