RALLYRACC CATALUNYA-COSTA DAURADA, RALLY DE ESPANA
(08 – 11 NOVEMBER 2012)

The final round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship – Rally de España – was won by the Citroën Total World Rally Team crew of Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, providing a fitting exit for the reigning World Champions on their final event full-time in the WRC. It was also their eighth consecutive victory in Spain. Second position was claimed by Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila with Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen taking the final podium position.
 
In the FIA World Rally Championship, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena claimed their ninth title* on Rallye de France-Alsace two events ago, and Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen were assured second after claiming their first victory of the season on the penultimate round in Italy. Third in the Championship was fought out in Spain and Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila narrowly claimed the plaudits ahead of Norway’s Mads Østberg and Jonas Andersson. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, Citroën also claimed the title in France*.
 
Today’s route included two identical loops of three stages covering 93.94 competitive kilometres, the penultimate test counting as the Power Stage. Here, Latvala, Dani Sordo and Loeb claimed the additional points for setting the fastest times in this single stage. Loeb has maintained his advantage throughout the day, with Latvala closing the gap to just seven seconds this afternoon. Hirvonen was in the midst of a battle with Østberg but the rivals held their third and fourth positions respectively. Jarkko Nikara completed a fine event – his first in a world rally car – in fifth position and Craig Breen rounded off the top six in his less powerful Ford Fiesta S2000 car. He also claimed the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship title*, just one year after winning the FIA WRC Academy Cup. Mexican Benito Guerra won the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship title**, having taken maximum points on the final round here in Spain.
 
The 2013 FIA World Rally Championship kicks off with the famous Rallye Monte-Carlo (15-20 January).
 
* Subject to confirmation of the results by the FIA
* Subject to confirmation of the results by the FIA and a complete engine inspection
 
Rally de España – Final Provisional Results

FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers (after 13 of 13 rounds)

FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers (after 13 of 13 rounds)