Vota ArticoloSébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena: the 2008 World Champions
Today, Sunday November 2, 2008, will be remembered in rallying's record books as the day Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena claimed their fifth consecutive world title, a unique feat in the history of the sport. Indeed, the pair has reigned supreme since 2004, initially with the Citroën Xsara and, more recently, with the Citroën C4. As in 2005, they made sure of the crown in Japan, this time with one round remaining. The curtain is scheduled to come down on the season in three weeks' time in Wales where Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena and Dani Sordo/Marc Martí will be out to secure the Manufacturers' title, too, at the wheel of their respective C4 WRCs.
Although the final leg of the 2008 Rally Japan featured just 96.43km of competitive action (divided into nine stages), everyone in the French squad found the day extremely long as they waited to pop the champagne to celebrate today's historic occasion.
As was the case on Friday and Saturday, Sébastien and Daniel made no attempt to deal their rivals an ipponstyle knockout blow, especially since the conditions were once again wet and muddy. Not surprisingly, the state of the stages produced a certain amount of anxiety within the team's ranks. In the end, however, the Citroën pair completed the rally in third place which was enough to hand them their fifth world title in just six full WRC campaigns! This score takes Sébastien and Daniel clear of the record they previously shared with Juha Kankkunen and, more especially, Tommi Mäkinen, who was the only driver before them to succeed in racking up four consecutive championship wins (1996 to 1999).
*Subject to final publications of the results by the FIA. Results are subject to routine fuel analysis too.
Mostra/Nascondi commenti
Mostra/Nascondi form commento
| < Prec. | Succ. > |
|---|
