Sébastien Ogier won his first ever WRC race last weekend in Portugal after finishing ahead of 2009 champion and Citroen team-mate Sébastien Loeb.
Find out what the drivers thought of the rally as we review the race in words...
Rally de Portugal is one of the classic rounds of the World Championship – but what did the drivers expect before the start?
"There are going to be loads of people. People really have the passion for rallying here, they go mad for it" – Sébastien Loeb
"I’ve got no idea. I’ve never even been to Portugal before" – Kimi Räikkönen
"The acceleration and the power of the car is scary. This is an amazing opportunity: I’ve watched the Portugal Rally since I was a little boy" – former footballer Paulo Sousa, who rode with Ford’s Khalid Al Qassimi during the shakedown.
“It’s one thing to watch these events on television but something completely different to be there and do it. That’s when you say to yourself: Holy shit! I’ve got a long way to go" – Ken Block
Sébastien Ogier took the lead on the opening day – but was he surprised?
"No, not really. OK, maybe a bit!" – Sébastien Ogier
“Not at all: if he carries on as he has been doing, then he will win a rally this year. He already came so close last time in New Zealand" – Benoit Nogier, Citroen Junior Team Manager
“Who is he?” – hotel receptionist in Vilamoura
Ford put in a relatively muted performance, with Jari-Matti Latvala unable to get away from the huge accident that nearly claimed his life last year.
“Why do people keep going on about it? That was last year and it’s history now. I don’t get it" – Jari-Matti Latvala
Then, on Saturday morning…
“The rear of the car took the impact. I knew as soon as I hit the tree that it was over" – Jari-Matti Latvala
"I was still asleep!” – Dani Sordo
"The second stage was…confusing" – Mikko Hirvonen
With Sébastien Ogier (Citroen Junior Team) leading Sébastien Loeb (Citroen) into the final day, the question of team orders reared its ugly head.
“They are allowed to fight but they are not allowed to go off. That’s a team order" – Olivier Quesnel, Team Principal, Citroen.
“I hate strategy, but if the games are there you have to play them" – Petter Solberg
In the end, Ogier defeated the six-time World Rally Champion Loeb to take his first WRC win.
“He was just too quick for me. There was nothing more I could do. I have a new rival now" – Sébastien Loeb
“It’s difficult for me to explain my feelings now. Sebastien Loeb is the best driver ever in rallying, so to fight with him – what a feeling. It’s special" – Sébastien Ogier
“For us, it was definitely a better weekend than New Zealand. No trees, no spins, no bridges" – Daniel Elena
To stay in touch with the latest from the World Rally Championship throughout the course of the mid-season break, visit wrc.com.
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