WRC 2018: Showdown in Australia 🎥
THREE BATTLES FOR WRC TITLE The 2018 World Rally Championship will be decided in Australia over the next three days. With Sébastien Ogier on Ford, Thierry Neuville on Hyundai and Ott Tänak on Toyota, three drivers and brands have title chances. Sébastien Ogier on Ford Fiesta WRC has the best starting position. The defending champion leads the standings with 204 points ahead of Thierry [...]
Sébastien Ogier on Ford Fiesta WRC has the best starting position. The defending champion leads the standings with 204 points ahead of Thierry Neuville on Hyundai i20 WRC with 201 and Ott Tänak on Toyota Yaris WRC with 181.
There are still 25 points up for grabs for victory and a maximum of 5 points for first place in the Power Stage. If Ogier wins, he will have the title for sure without these additional points. It would be the sixth in a row.
Most exciting title fight in 15 years
The situation will be different if Neuville finishes first and no one other than Ogier comes in second. Then the decision will be made on the Power Stage, the 7.16 km long SS Wedding Bells, the 24th and last special stage ever in the 2018 WRC.
The respective teammates of the three title candidates and thus the team strategy could also tip the scales. So the starting position couldn't be more exciting.
The title fight has never been so open since 2003. For the German-speaking Belgian, as well as for Ott Tänak, it would be the first world championship crown. However, the Latvian can only become world champion with a victory and simultaneous bad luck of his two title rivals.
Toyota, Hyundai or Ford?
The situation in the manufacturers' standings is different. Here, the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team leads with 331 points ahead of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team with 319 and the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team with 306.
Here, too, anything is still possible. The Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team is out of the game with 216 points - but the French have already begun their attack on the 2019 WRC with the signing of Ogier. No question who they want to win the title...
Is the domination of the French coming to an end?
Ogier and Tänak each won four world championship rounds this year, Neuville three. The only other winner was in Spain - and that was Sébastien Loeb, the last world champion (eight titles) before the Ogier era. The last time a non-French WRC driver won the Drivers' World Championship was in 2003 with Norwegian Petter Solberg in a Subaru Impreza.
The fact that he has already won three times in Australia speaks in Ogier's favor. However, he again has to be the first to take to the dusty gravel tracks.
In Neuville's favor is the fact that he traveled to Australia as last year's winner. The Belgian from St. Vith in the German-speaking region is therefore brimming with confidence.
Thierry Neuville: "Twelve months ago we won from second on the grid, and we're aiming for the same result. That will be the best way to clinch the title."
The routing of this year's Rally Australia adds salt to the soup: Compared to last year, 16 of the total of 24 SS (total length = 316.64 km) are completely or partially new. The new world champions will be decided at the latest at the official podium ceremony, which will take place in Coffs Harbour from 14:20 local time (4:20 CET).
