The Volkswagen duos have the most successful WRC event in the team’s history behind them. As such, World Championship leaders Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), their closest rivals in the overall standings, Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N), and Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN), fresh from their victory last time out, go into the Rally Italy with high hopes of adding another victory to Volkswagen’s impressive collection.
The sixth round of the WRC season, which this year takes place from 11 to 14 June 2015 and marks the halfway point in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has been held on Sardinia since 2004. It poses a major test for man and machine, with such classics as the “Monte Lerno” special stage and the notorious “Micky’s Jump”, which is so popular among fans and drivers alike.
On Saturday, the elite of the international rally scene will also face the longest day of rallying of the season so far – featuring 212.83 of the rally’s 394.63 kilometres against the clock. The three Volkswagen duos of Ogier/Ingrassia, Mikkelsen/Fløene and Latvala/Anttila do battle for points and positions armed with three identical Polo R WRCs – as they did at the recent Rally Portugal, when Volkswagen celebrated its best result in WRC history with a one-two-three in both the overall standings and on the Power Stage.
“You cannot go into a rally with more confidence than we have at the moment,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “The maximum points haul in Portugal has given us a real boost and all three drivers – Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen – all have what it takes to win in Italy. However, it will certainly not be a stroll in the park. The route conditions on Sardinia are difficult and change from one car to the next. On top of that you have the opposition, who will be more determined than ever to make our life difficult after the one-two-three in Portugal.“
Moments of the year in 2013 and 2014 – Volkswagen with fond memories of Italy
Volkswagen has won the Rally Italy two years in a row – in 2013 and 2014. However, the sporting success is not the only thing to stir up positive memories. The world-famous “Micky’s Jump” is not only a crowd puller, a moment guaranteed to send shivers down even the hardiest of spines, and the picture-postcard image of the Rally Italy – Sébastien Ogier’s jump on this crest in 2013 was also officially crowned the “FIA Motorsport Moment of the Year”. Fast forward twelve months and another vivid memory springs to mind: in 2014, the drivers, co-drivers and team management followed the podium ceremony by leaping into the harbour at Alghero to celebrate Ogier’s second victory in Italy. Not everyone went in of their own accord but, even without an official title, this was the fun moment of 2014 for the Volkswagen team.
Flying on Monte Lerno – Micky’s Jump and the longest day of rallying of the season
One of the most spectacular jumps on the WRC calendar, plus Tifosi aplenty: Micky’s Jump is one of the highlights of the rally scene. The World Rally Cars approach this crest at about 100 kilometres per hour. The drivers brake briefly coming into a right-hander directly before Micky’s Jump – the rest is “hang time” and, thanks to the road falling away after the crest, a flight of up to 40 metres. By the time the rally drivers and co-drivers pass this notorious spot, their powers of concentration have already really been put to the test. The 42-kilometre “Monte Lerno” special stage – the longest of the 2015 Rally Italy – brings the curtain down on Saturday’s afternoon loop. The longest day of the season features 212.83 kilometres of special stage, which is more than half of the entire rally.
But Thursday, Friday and Sunday are not to be trifled with either. The 2.5-kilometre “Città Di Cagliari” spectator stage kicks off proceedings and follows the ceremonial start in Cagliari on Thursday evening. The going really gets tough on Friday morning, when “Grighine Sud” requires the competitors to change their rhythm continuously over 26.31 kilometres against the clock. However, the sporting highlight comes in the form of Sunday’s “Cala Flumini” special stage, whose 11.77 kilometres form the closing Power Stage when the participants tackle it for a second time. Here, bonus points towards the World Championship are up for grabs for the fastest three drivers and co-drivers.