Jari-Matti Latvala stormed to a remarkable victory in Kennards Hire Rally Australia and French superstar Sebastien Ogier sealed a sixth-straight FIA World Rally Championship title on the New South Wales Coffs Coast this afternoon.
Latvala delivered one of his finest drives, beating Hyundai’s New Zealand pilot Hayden Paddon by 32.5 seconds while Citroen’s Mads Ostberg was third, a further 52.2 seconds behind.
Kennards Hire Rally Australia wrapped up the 2018 season in spectacular style. Occasional showers did not discourage fans, who flocked to see the spectacular action, and the event booked record four-day attendance of 83,155, up almost 31 percent on last year’s number.
As several key rivals fell off the road in the closing stages of the 318km, three-day season final, Latvala delivered stunning pace to claim three of the last six stages.
But it was at the expense of Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Ott Tanak who remained in contention for the event and the drivers’ title until his Yaris came to grief against a tree on the penultimate stage.
Tanak’s retirement came immediately after Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, the only other driver who could have toppled Ogier for the crown, crashed sensationally on the repeat run through the Coramba Special Stage this afternoon.
The Belgian hit a bank and tore off a rear wheel off, ending any hope of edging ahead of Ogier in the closing kilometres.
The 30-year-old Neuville struggled on in his stricken machine for a short distance before pulling off the stage.
Latvala avoided the perils of an enthralling contest to become the fifth different Finnish driver to win Rally Australia, joining countrymen Juha Kankkunen, Tommi Makinen, Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen.
Makinen, now Toyota WRC boss, celebrated his team’s victory in the 2018 FIA World Rally Chamionship for Manufacturers.
Capturing the Coffs Coast event ended a lengthy win drought for Latvala.
“It has been two very long years since I last won,” Latvala said.
“I was losing hope and then this morning things changed again and these difficult conditions worked in my favour.
“I am so happy to win here and it is such an amazing feeling to win the manufacturer title. This is an amazing result and I am so happy for our team.”
The Finn’s triumph cemented the first manufacturers’ title for Toyota since 1999 after a season-long battle with Hyundai.
Toyota ended with 368 points, 27 points more than Hyundai in a battle that went down to the wire.
As much as Latvala produced a storming rally, Ogier showed all the qualities that have made him one of the greatest four-wheel champions, surpassed only by Sébastien Loeb, with nine WRCs and Formula 1’s Michael Schumacher with seven titles.
Ogier cemented the championship in style, winning the final points-paying Power Stage on the rollercoaster Wedding Bells test.
The 34-year-old had shielded himself from risks, pushing when he had to and coming up trumps in what was described as his finest season.
In the end he compiled 219 points, 18 more than Neuville after leading the Belgian by a mere three points going into the Coffs Coastshowdown.
Ogier acknowledged how tough he had to fight to be in a position to win another championship.
“The season was so intense and in the last two stages so much has changed,” Ogier said.
“It is like a mixed feeling at this moment – I am so proud of what we have achieved and so proud of our team. You are the best.
“We had an amazing journey together. I’ve enjoyed the last push in this car. I can’t wait to see the team.”
Ogier ends a hugely successful two-year stint with the M-Sport Ford operation as he moves to Citroën next season.
Chilean driver Alberto Heller won the WRC2 category in a Ford FiestA R5.
FINAL RESULTS (PROVISIONAL)
Kennards Hire Rally Australia (WRC 13 of 13):
1 Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (Toyota) 2:59:52.0
2 Hayden Paddon/Sebastian Marshall (Hyundai) +32.5s
3 Mads Ostberg/Torstein Eriksen (Citroen) +52.2s
4 Esapekka Lappi/ Janne Ferm (Toyota) +01:02.3s
5 Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (M-Sport Ford) +02:30.8s
6 Elfyn Evans/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford) +03:05.1s
7 Craig Breen/Scott Martin (Citroen) +8:59.0s
8 Alberto Heller/Jose Diaz (Ford) +22:28.5s
9 Steve Glenney/Andy Sarandis (Skoda) +27:01.8s
10 Jourdan Serderidis/Lara Vanneste (Ford) +35:14.1s
FIA WRC drivers’ championship (after 13 of 13 rounds):
Sébastien Ogier 219 points
Thierry Neuville 201
Ott Tänak 181
Jari-Matti Latvala 128
Esapekka Lappi 126
Andreas Mikkelsen 84
Elfyn Evans 80
Hayden Paddon 73
Dani Sordo 71
Mads Ostberg 70
FIA WRC manufacturers’ championship (after 13 of 13 rounds):
Toyota Gazoo Racing 368 points
Hyundai WRT 341
M-Sport Ford WRT 324
Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT 237
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