Sébastien Ogier photo from Red Bull / RBI Images
The
2010 Vodafone Rally de Portugal, Round 6 of the
2010 World Rally Championship, was run May 27 through May 30, 2010. A pre-rally road show, that was well attended and thoroughly enjoyable, was held a few days before.
French rally car driver
Sébastien Ogier won the event (standard WRC category), which was based in
Faro, Portugal, for the
Citroën Junior Team.
Cruise through the following articles and videos to review what led Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia, also from France, to triumph in their
Citroën C4 WRC at Portugal.
40,000 spectators thrill to Porto roadshowPosted at
WRC.com on May 24, 2010
Just five days after the Pope visited the Portuguese city of Porto, tens of thousands of faithful rally fans came to see the stars of the World Rally Championship blast through the city streets.
The Vodafone Rally de Portugal, round six of the World Rally Championship, has already got underway four days before the event is due to start, thanks to a spectacular roadshow through the historic streets of Porto...
Rally de Portugal 2010 - Porto Road ShowPosted by
frsperandio at YouTube on May 24, 2010
Ogier fastest in Rally Portugal ShakedownPosted at
WRC.com on May 27, 2010
One of the stars of this year's Rally New Zealand, Sebastien Ogier, was the fastest driver at the pre-event shakedown for Vodafone Rally de Portugal earlier today, with former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg his closest rival.
The four hour test - a prelude to this weekend's rally - took place on a 5.03km gravel road at Vale de Judeu, 12km from the main Service Park near Faro. The same piece of road was used for Shakedown in 2009. Weather conditions were dry and sunny throughout, with a temperature peaking at 23 degrees Celsius...
The opening stages of Vodafone Rally de PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 27, 2010
Round six of the 2010 World Rally Championship kicks off this evening with a spectacular head-to-head Superspecial built at the 30,000 capacity Algarve Stadium.
After tonight's 2km teaser, cars will be kept in an overnight Parc Ferme ready for the first full day of gravel rallying. Friday’s action gets underway at 0810hrs (GMT +1) with a 15-minute visit to the Service Park before the first stage - the 22.72km Santa Clara...
SS1: Hirvonen takes the early lead in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 27, 2010
Mikko Hirvonen moved into an early lead of the 2010 Vodafone Rally de Portugal after setting the fastest time on Thursday evening’s Algarve Stadium Superspecial.
The Ford Focus RS WRC driver completed the 2km head-to-head test in 2min 9.3sec, winning his heat with Sebastien Loeb and completing the stage one-tenth of a second quicker than Munchi’s team driver Federico Villagra who was his closest rival...
SS2: Sordo sweeps aheadPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Citroen factory team driver Dani Sordo was fastest through Friday's opening stage in Portugal to move three places up the overnight leaderboard into the rally lead.
Headed by Sordo, Citroen C4's locked out the top three times through Santa Clara, with Junior team driver Sebastien Ogier his closest rival and world champion Sebastien Loeb third fastest...
SS3: Sebastien Ogier the pace-setterPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier was the fastest man through Friday's second stage in Portugal, narrowing the gap on rally leader Dani Sordo to 1.3sec...
SS4: Ogier leads at Friday midpointPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Another fastest time for Sebastien Ogier on SS4 moved the Frenchman into the rally lead at Friday's midpoint.
Ogier completed the Silves stage 3.1sec quicker than Dani Sordo to pull 1.8sec clear at the head of the standings. Once again Sordo was his closest rival through the stage, which meant the Citroen pair pulled further ahead of the chasing pack...
Midday update: Rising star Ogier on top in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Sebastien Ogier has reached the midday service halt in Faro with a slender lead of 1.8 seconds over fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo.
The Frenchman started Friday’s opening loop of stages of Vodafone Rally de Portugal fourth on the road and made the most of the cleaner stage surface to climb to the top of the leaderboard in his C4 WRC...
SS5: Ogier stretches aheadPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Sebastien Ogier set his third consecutive stage victory on the first of Friday's repeated tests, stretching his rally lead over Dani Sordo to 7.1 seconds.
With the worst of the loose gravel surface now swept from the Santa Clara stage, times were noticeable quicker than on the first pass...
SS6: Petter up to thirdPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Citroen privateer Petter Solberg knocked Mikko Hirvonen from third place on the repeated Ourique test, while usual suspects Ogier and Sordo maintained their grip on the two fastest times...
Block set to return on day two in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Ken Block is set to restart on day two of Rally de Portugal following his roll on the fourth stage of the event this morning.
The Monster World Rally Team driver was in 13th place when he left the road 13.5 kilometres from the start of the 21.36-kilometre Silves stage and retired...
SS7: Ogier extends his advantage as Sordo hits troublePosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Sebastien Ogier more that tripled his Rally de Portugal lead on Friday's final stage courtesy of another stage winning time and a technical problem that slowed his closest rival Dani Sordo.
The Citroen Junior Team driver will take a 26.6sec into the second day of the rally after Sordo - who still holds second - reported a sticking throttle on his C4...
WRC Friday wrap: Ogier holds firm in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
Sebastien Ogier will start day two of Vodafone Rally de Portugal with a lead of 26.6 seconds over Dani Sordo following a hugely impressive performance by the Citroen Junior Team driver.
Ogier, who was fastest on five of Friday’s six stages in his C4 WRC, profited when Sordo suffered a suspected sticking throttle on the last stage of the day, which enabled Ogier to extend his advantage by almost 20 seconds over the Spaniard...
WRC Rally Portugal 2010: Highlights Day 1Posted by
Timo88888WRC at YouTube on May 29, 2010
Vodafone Rally de Portugal stage guides - SaturdayPosted at
WRC.com on May 28, 2010
The second day of Vodafone Rally de Portugal takes competitors back to a trio of gravel stages in the Serra do Caldeirão hills, north of Faro.
After leaving the Service Park from 0810hrs, crews will tackle a loop of three speed tests before returning to Faro for a 30-minute service. In the afternoon crews will tackle the same loop before they return to the town for the final overnight halt at 1700hrs after 135km of competition...
SS8: Loeb makes his movePosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Last year's Rally de Portugal winner Sebastien Loeb was the fastest man through Saturday's opening stage to narrow the gap on leader Ogier from 44sec to 36sec.
Loeb was first in the start order on day one, but will start all of Saturday's stages third on the road and benefiting from a racing line swept of loose gravel by Sebastien Ogier and Dani Sordo...
SS9: Loeb up to secondPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Another stage win from Sebastien Loeb on SS9 moved the Frenchman ahead of his Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo into second overall.
Loeb also took another chunk out of Sebastien Ogier's rally lead, reducing it from 36sec to 25sec...
SS10: Ogier stays out front at Saturday midpointPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Rally de Portugal leader Sebastien Ogier emerged from Saturday morning's final stage with his advantage standing at 22.9sec - four seconds less than it was at the start of the day.
Times were tight through the 16km S. Bras de Alpotel stage, with only 5.2 seconds separating the five fastest drivers...
Midday update: Loeb closes on leader Ogier in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Sebastien Ogier continues to lead Vodafone Rally de Portugal following Saturday’s opening loop of three stages. However, Sebastien Loeb, the defending world champion, has stepped up his pursuit of his young countryman by closing to within 22.9 seconds of the lead of the event as the battle for victory heats up on the sun-drenched Algarve roads.
Loeb started day two in third position and almost 45 seconds off the lead but moved to second ahead of team-mate Dani Sordo with the fastest time through the Vascao stage, the second of the morning...
Block 'devastated' by Portugal retirementPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Ken Block was forced to abandon his plan to restart day two of Rally de Portugal after his car failed a scrutineering check.
A pace note error led to the Monster World Rally Team driver rolling out of the event 13km into Friday 's third stage (SS4). At the time, the soft roll into an open field was not thought to have damaged Block's car too badly...
SS11: Another stage win for OgierPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
With the worst of the loose gravel swept from Almodovar on the earlier pass (SS8) first on the road Sebastien Ogier faced less of a disadvantage on the repeat and was comfortably fastest on SS11, extending his rally lead to 28 seconds.
With the temperature nudging 24 degrees Celsius, tyre preservation was key through the 26km stage - the longest of the rally...
SS12: Sordo drops to fourthPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Dani Sordo slipped from second to fourth place on SS12 after adopting a cautious approach to save his tyres for the final test of the day.
Sordo's tyres were badly worn at the end of the previous test, and faced with more abrasive conditions on the swept Vascao stage the Spaniard was anxious to keep some rubber for the 16km S Bras de Alpotel which follows...
SS13: Ogier rounds off day two with 21 second leadPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Sebastien Ogier wrapped up a successful Saturday in Portugal by setting the second fastest time in the repeated S. Bras de Alpotel section - enough to give him a 21.1sec advantage ahead of Sunday's final day of the rally...
WRC Saturday wrap: Ogier on course for first WRC win in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Vodafone Rally de Portugal is set for a thrilling climax after Sebastien Ogier reached the end of day two 21.1 seconds in front of Citroen team leader Sebastien Loeb.
And with just four gravel stages remaining on Sunday, world champion Loeb fears he might not be able to prevent Ogier from landing his maiden victory in the World Rally Championship...
WRC Portugal 2010: Highlights Day 2Posted by
Timo88888WRC at YouTube on May 31, 2010
Latvala fears he’s let Ford down in PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Jari-Matti Latvala says failing to score points for the factory Ford team was the most disappointing aspect of his retirement from Vodafone Rally de Portugal earlier today.
Latvala lost control of his Focus RS WRC barely four corners into Saturday’s second stage and careered backwards into a tree some 40 metres from the road. The Finn fears the damage he inflicted to his car will prevent him from restarting under SupeRally regulations on Sunday...
Vodafone Rally de Portugal stage guides - SundayPosted at
WRC.com on May 29, 2010
Sunday's final day of Vodafone Rally de Portugal is the shortest of the event, with the action again centred in the Serra do Caldeirão hills, north of Faro.
After an early start from the Service Park at 0550hrs, drivers will tackle a loop of two gravel stages, split by a return to the Algarve Stadium service park. After a short final service, the rally concludes with a repeat of the asphalt super special stage inside the stadium...
SS14: Sebastien vs Sebastien: it's game on!Posted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Sebastien Loeb took more than six seconds from Sebastien Ogier's lead of Rally de Portugal on Sunday's opener as the defending world champion began a final push for victory.
Loeb, the winner of the rally in 2007 and 2009, reduced the gap on his Citroen stable-mate from 21.1sec to 14.9sec over the 21 kilometre Felizes test...
SS15: Ogier clings on at Sunday's midpointPosted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Sebastien Ogier rounded off Sunday morning's loop of stages with his Rally de Portugal lead slimmed but intact. With only two more gravel stages and the Super special to go, Ogier has a 10.1sec over the hard charging Sebastien Loeb.
Loeb was the fastest driver through SS15, completing the stage 4.8sec quicker than Ogier and admitting to pushing to the maximum. Ogier, however, claimed he still had something in reserve...
Midday update: Ogier edges closer to maiden WRC victoryPosted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Sebastien Ogier has edged closer to his maiden victory in the World Rally Championship by completing Sunday’s opening brace of stages 10.1 seconds in front of Citroen team leader, the six-time world champion Sebastien Loeb.
Loeb was faster than Ogier on both stages this morning but conceded he is driving on the limit in order to erode his young team-mate’s advantage with two gravel stages remaining before the event-closing superspecial stage, and fears he doesn’t have any more pace in reserve...
SS16: Flat out Sebastiens neck and neckPosted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Rally Portugal leader Sebastien Ogier overcame a near-stall on the start line of SS16 to defend his position from Sebastien Loeb once again. And after claiming he had more speed in reserve on the morning pass, the Citroen Junior team driver admitted he was pushing himself and his tyres to the limit on the repeat.
The swept Felizes stage was more abrasive than it had been earlier and this, combined with a higher ambient temperature, made tyre wear a crucial consideration. Loeb was the stage winner, finishing six-tenths ahead of Ogier, but felt he had worn his Pirellis more than his rival...
SS17: Ogier leads with just the Super Special to go...Posted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Having fought off Sebastien Loeb's challenge through the final gravel stage of Rally de Portugal, just 2km of tarmac stands between Sebastien Ogier and his maiden WRC victory.
Loeb was fastest through SS17 but was only 1.8sec quicker than his Junior team rival, giving Ogier a 7.7sec advantage for the head-to-head Algarve Super Special...
SS18: Ogier does it!Posted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Frenchman Sebastien Ogier sealed victory on Rally de Portugal at the Algarve Stadium super special, collecting his maiden rally win at World Championship level and underlining his position as one of the sport's hottest properties.
The 26-year-old Citroen Junior Team driver held his own in a thrilling final day scrap with six-time World Champion - and fellow C4 WRC driver - Sebastien Loeb, which concluded on the all-tarmac head-to-head stage...
WRC wrap: Ogier beats Loeb to win Vodafone Rally de PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Sebastien Ogier has claimed his first world championship victory by narrowly defeating Sebastien Loeb on Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
The Citroen Junior Team driver started the third and final day with a lead of 21.1 seconds and showed a level of maturity that belied his 26 years to hold firm as Loeb tried in vain to get ahead of his countryman...
WRC Portugal 2010: Highlights Day 3Posted by
Timo88888WRC at YouTube on May 31, 2010
Q&A with Sebastien OgierPosted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
In 2008, Sebastien Ogier clinched the Junior World Rally Championship title at the wheel of a Citroen C2. This weekend in Portugal, on only his 19th start in a World Rally Car, the 26-year-old beat the best in the world to secure the first WRC victory of his career.
Still soaked in champagne from his podium celebrations, Ogier reflected on his winning weekend:...
Ford plans WRC fight back in BulgariaPosted at
WRC.com on May 30, 2010
Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson says an extensive testing programme on asphalt will help the Blue Oval reignite its manufacturers’ championship ambitions when the WRC resumes on Rally Bulgaria in July.
Wilson was speaking after lead driver Mikko Hirvonen finished a distant fourth on Rally de Portugal, while number two pilot Jari-Matti Latvala crashed out of the event for a second year in a row on the second day of the rally. The outcome means Ford trails Citroen by 26 points in the race for the makes’ title...
Ogier ‘faster than anybody else in the Championship’, says LoebPosted at
WRC.com on May 31, 2010
Sebastien Loeb has paid tribute to Rally de Portugal winner Sebastien Ogier and acknowledged that his Citroen stable-mate was the fastest man at the weekend.
Loeb mounted an all-out attack on Sunday’s five stages in a bid to overturn Ogier’s overnight 21sec lead, but despite a more advantageous road position on the two morning stages he fell 7.9sec short...
Maiden win earns Ogier Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally AwardPosted at
WRC.com on June 1, 2010
A virtuoso display of speed, courage and determination earned Sebastian Ogier double honours at Rally de Portugal.
The Citroen driver’s maiden World Rally Championship victory on the Algarve after just two years in the top tier of rallying was followed up with the Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award to complete a remarkable weekend for the Frenchman...
The wrc.com rally review: Vodafone Rally de PortugalPosted at
WRC.com on June 1, 2010
The King is dead - long live the King! This was the traditional proclamation when a new King of France was crowned, and it seems now that in the World Rally Championship a minor French revolution is occurring.
The established order appears to be crumbling, as rallying's traditional aristocracy - Sebastien Loeb - is usurped by the young pretender to the throne: Sebastien Ogier. For now, anyway. But while the talking point is quite rightly Sebastien Ogier's first World Championship victory, this is actually the second rally in a row where Loeb has been beaten by Ogier. In New Zealand Loeb was third to Ogier's second, although either Frenchman would have deserved to win...
