Volkswagen hits the ground running: identical fastest times for Mikkelsen/Jæger and Latvala/AnttilaOgier/Ingrassia end “free practice” in Trier in fourth place
Perfect switch to asphalt mode: Volkswagen finished first, second and fourth in the “free practice” ahead of the first asphalt race of the year in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Fastest: Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger (N/N), who led the way in the Polo R WRC with the quickest time on the 4.55-kilometre Shakedown – exactly the same time as team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN). Currently second in the world championship, Mikkelsen/Jæger were also faster on all four runs than their team-mates Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), who lead the overall standings. Ogier/Ingrassia clocked the fourth fastest time on the Shakedown.
The race kicks off on Friday morning with the “Mittelmosel” stage, following Thursday evening’s ceremonial start in front of the Porta Nigra in Trier.
Quotes after the Shakedown at the Rally Germany
Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #1“Julien and I are really looking forward to the Rally Germany. The Shakedown went well and the set-up for the Polo R WRC is perfect. More than anything, I hope that it stays dry at the weekend and the conditions are good for everyone. In that case, the fast stages in the vineyards are really fantastic. If it rains – and you have to be prepared for surprises – it will be incredibly difficult, and the slightest mistake can be disastrous. We obviously want to give our team principal Jost Capito with a nice leaving present. As such, our goal is to repeat last year’s win and score valuable points towards the world championship.”
Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #2“After a lot of rallies on gravel, the first asphalt Shakedown went pleasingly well. It took me a few laps to find the right set-up for me, but it was spot on after five laps. The weather was okay, but it will certainly be a factor all weekend. It is obviously a special rally for Volkswagen – after all, it is not every day your team principal leaves you. We are out to give him a worthy send-off. Let’s see what I can do to contribute.”Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9“A really good Shakedown. The Polo is running absolutely superbly. I had a good feeling from the word go. It obviously boosts my confidence to be faster than Seb. We would like to make up some ground in the championship – which means we need to be faster than Seb. That will obviously not be easy on his favourite surface. However, we started well on the Shakedown and have also tried out a number of set-up variants, which has given us enough information to know how we should approach the coming days. We are ready.”
Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director“Looking at the Shakedown result, you cannot help but look forward to the Rally Germany. All three Volkswagen drivers are in top form at our home race. They adapted quickly to the asphalt, and it promises to be a thrilling battle between us and the opposition. The Rally Germany is one of the most demanding races of the entire season – we have learned that the hard way on several occasions in recent years. The one-two-three made last year’s rally the most emotional of the past four years for us. 2016 will certainly be very moving again for me, personally. It is my final rally as Volkswagen Motorsport Director and, given the magnificent team I have around me, it is going to be hard to say farewell. I hope we have something to celebrate on Sunday.”
And then there were …
… flying fists. Sébastien Ogier had a very special co-driver for the Shakedown ahead of the Rally Germany: Marco Huck, IBO world boxing champion at cruiser weight. Huck will defend his world title on 24th September, but took a break from his training camp in the Harz region to take what is presumably the fastest taxi ride of his life at Volkswagen’s home event. “Respect to Sébastien, he is a true champion,” said Huck. “The concentration and speed of mind the rally drivers have to have is incredible.” German TV station RTL will broadcast Huck’s world championship bout against Britain’s Ovill McKenzie live.
