Battle for 2012 honours already underway

27th November 2011

By Anthony Peacock

The battle for the 2012 World Rally Championship is already underway, with two of the protagonists taking a win apiece on separate events.

Newly-crowned eight-time champion Sebastien Loeb claimed the Monza Rally in Italy: an event that he led from start to finish and won by nearly half a minute. This was despite a change from his usual co-driver: instead of Daniel Elena, it was Severine Loeb – his wife – reading the pace notes.

Meanwhile, over in France, Jari-Matti Latvala won the Rallye du Var with his Fiesta WRC: a warm-up for the Monte Carlo Rally. He beat Stephane Sarrazin into second, who was making a rare appearance in a Peugeot 307 WRC. Ott Tanak was third despite a puncture, leading to widespread speculation that he will replace Mikko Hirvonen in the factory Ford team next year, having already scored an impressive sixth on his WRC debut at Rally Great Britain.

There was an extremely distinguished podium in Monza as well: multiple motorbike champion Valentino Rossi was second at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta WRC, while two-time Le Mans winner Dindo Capello finished third.

Both Italians were backed by Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli, using the same P Zero asphalt tyres that were seen on the World Rally Championship up to last year.