Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 WRC drivers' title
On Thursday, October 3, the driver/co-driver pair were crowned champions, with Volkswagen all bar securing the manufacturer's title by weekend's end. With two rallies remaining, Volkswagen hold an 80 point lead in the Manufacturers' Championship.
Ogier/Ingrassia dethroned record World Champions Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (Citroën) at their home rally to claim the title for the first time in their careers.
"That is definitely the most amazing rally weekend of my career: first the World Championship title and now victory at my home rally - absolutely fantastic," an enthusiastic Ogier said afterward.
"Today is the highlight of our season, and I am absolutely overjoyed. I would like to thank my guys. We have done a great job all season. I am really proud of what we have achieved."
Ogier/Ingrassia's victory is also the first driver/co-driver pairing to win the World Championship at the first attempt with a manufacturer making its debut in the World Rally Championship. While VW has featured in the WRC and its predecessors, rallying the Mk3 and Rallye G60 Golf, as well as the early Beetle, this season's campaign was the first factory-backed effort.
Volkswagen Board Member for Technical Development, Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser, and his predecessor Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, father of Volkswagen's WRC project and Audi Board Member for Technical Development since July, were in Strasbourg to witness the moment the title was won.
"This is an incredibly emotional moment for me," said Dr. Neusser. "I am pleased to be here today to see Sébastien Ogier claim the first title for Volkswagen in our debut year in the World Rally Championship. I would like to thank the outstanding team, which has performed perfectly all year."
"I am proud that our WRC project, which we launched over two years ago, has already yielded a title today," said Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg. "I am particularly pleased that Volkswagen has become the first manufacturer in the history of the World Rally Championship to claim its maiden WRC title in its debut season.
"In my current role as Audi Board Member, I would also like to congratulate the entire Volkswagen team on behalf of Audi. I would like to thank the team behind this success from the bottom of my heart. They have done an outstanding job."
FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), points standings*
Drivers' classification
1. Sebastien Ogier, 238 points; 2. Thierry Neuville, 143; 3. Jari-Matti Latvala, 125;
4. Daniel Sordo, 117; 5. Mikko Hirvonen, 111; 6. Mads Østberg, 81; 6. Sébastien Loeb, 68; 8. Evgeny Novikov, 57; 9. Martin Prokop, 49; 10. Andreas Mikkelsen, 40.
Manufacturers' classification
Volkswagen Motorsport, 339 points, 2. Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT, 259 Punkte; 3. Qatar WRT, 157; 4. Qatar M-Sport WRT, 156; 5. Abu Dhabi Citroën Total WRT, 59; 6. Jipocar Czech National Team, 51; 7. Volkswagen Motorsport II, 40; 8. Lotos WRC Team, 20.
