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Sébastien Ogier wins Rally Monte Carlo

Win number three in a row at the season-opener. As in 2014 and 2015, Volkswagen made its mark on this year's Rally Monte Carlo. Sébastien Ogier won the prestigious event for the third year in succession, with Andreas Mikkelsen finishing runner-up to complete a one-two for the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer. "This is just fantastic," said Sébastien after the closing Power Stage, which he also won. "The Rally Monte Carlo is the most important event of the season. It is a great feeling to win such a demanding rally. I am really emotional."

Ice, snow and challenging asphalt roads: the Rally Monte Carlo really put the WRC drivers through their paces again at the start of the 2016 season. Many drivers failed to finish, including Jari-Matti Latvala: the Finn skidded into a ditch on Saturday and was forced to retire his damaged Polo R WRC. This aside, the Volkswagen team produced an outstanding performance. Andreas Mikkelsen and Sébastien Ogier drove a tactically clever rally, ensuring they kept their Polo R WRC on the road at all times.

Mikkelsen was embroiled in a battle with Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville for much of the rally. A gamble on the tyre selection first resulted in Andreas falling behind Thierry on Saturday's opening 51.55-kilometre special stage. However, the selection proved to be spot on for the following stage, as Mikkelsen regained his leapfrogged back ahead of his rival and into fourth place. He then benefitted from the retirement of both Latvala and Kris Meeke (Citroën). Up to that point, the latter had been involved in a thrilling duel for the lead with Ogier.

Mikkelsen's second place is all the more remarkable, given the fact that he was making his first appearance alongside new co-driver Anders Jæger. There was absolutely no sign of the Norwegian duo having any teething problems. "Anders did an outstanding job on his WRC debut. This second place is fantastic," said Mikkelsen in the finish zone. The extra point for third place on the Power Stage was the icing on the cake for the new pairing.

QUOTES FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN TEAM

"Such an emotional moment for me!"

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #1
"Winning here in Monte Carlo is such an emotional moment for me! It is just an indescribable feeling to win this iconic rally for the third time. The conditions were so tricky. It was so icy and slippery. I am really happy with this success. I would like to thank the entire team, which did a fantastic job this weekend. My ice spies were awesome. Jean Joseph Simon was doing the job for me for the first time here at the ‘Monte'. It was really tough for them to provide us with accurate predictions regarding the state of the roads. The Polo ran superbly. Then there were the many, many fans cheering on Julien and me - it was just a perfect weekend!"

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #2
"My co-driver Miikka Anttila and I fully accept the stewards' decision. The safety of spectators and participants must take top priority at any rally. Miikka and I are in absolutely no doubt about that. We very much regret the incident and will do everything possible to avoid this kind of thing happening again in the future. At the same time, we are pleased that the spectator got off so lightly this time, and that nothing serious happened."

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9
"An absolutely fantastic start to the WRC season. Second at the ‘Monte' - that is always going to be rather special. However, it was also the first rally with my new co-driver Anders Jæger - and to stand on the podium together is simply fantastic. I knew that Anders was talented, but he did a perfect job all weekend, for which he deserves my greatest compliment. It was typical ‘Monte', making it the toughest possible debut for him. The many changes in the weather and varying road conditions, ranging from ice and snow to dry asphalt, meant we had to make a lot of amendments to the pace notes. We drivers also had to be wide-awake all the time. It is thanks to my ice spies, Bernt Kollevold and Timo Alanne, that we are stood on the podium as runners-up today. Not to forget the entire team, who all did a perfect job again. To sum it up: an absolutely fantastic day for us."

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director
"To start the WRC season with a one-two is, in itself, a fantastic achievement. To do that at the Rally Monte Carlo makes it all the more special. At no other rally is the perfect interaction between drivers, co-drivers, engineers, mechanics, and ice spies, right down to the logisticians, catering and physio team, so vital. It is absolutely fantastic how all the cogs fit together in our team. I think the most frequently asked question by far at Volkswagen Motorsport is ‘can I help you?' That shows our team spirit. Sébastien Ogier and Andreas Mikkelsen could trust the team implicitly - and performed fantastically themselves. This one-two is deserved, and we are proud of it."