WRC - Rallye Deutschland lives up to its reputation

As is often the case in Germany, unpredictable weather conditions once again shook things up at Rallye Deutschland on day one. After their progress was slowed at the outset by an isolated heavy downpour, Craig Breen and Scott Martin then fought back up to eighth place. Behind them, Mads Østberg and Torstein Eriksen were somewhat held up by an engine issue as they got used to running on tarmac again, ending the leg eleventh overall.

Today’s opening leg (101.42km, six stages) was contested amidst the Mosel vineyards. At this time of year, a heavy shower can suddenly hit one side of a hill, producing treacherous conditions, whilst on the other side the road remains completely dry.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the fate suffered by Craig Breen on Mittelmosel (22km), the day’s second stage. Fifth fastest – 6.9s behind the leader – at the penultimate split, he ended the stage some 22.1s back. He was slowed by a heavy shower, which he was the first driver to encounter, on a section of almost four kilometres. Suddenly 30.3s adrift of the lead, he then gradually got back up to speed and inched his way up the leaderboard, despite being quite far down the running order (10th), which meant he had to contend with mud and gravel dragged onto the road by those cars completing the stages before him. His sixth fastest time on the first stage of the afternoon, just four tenths per kilometre off the stage-winning time, moved him up into eighth position. A position he would still hold at the end of this opening leg.

On his return to Germany after missing last year’s event and his first rally on tarmac in the C3 WRC, Mads adopted a meticulous approach and although he had a spin on SS3, he made it to the midday service in tenth place. Hampered by a minor engine issue in the afternoon, he dropped down to eleventh place, but will nevertheless be aiming to make up ground tomorrow on what he describes as his favourite leg of the weekend.

Often, the outcome of Rallye Deutschland is really decided on Saturday, with two runs scheduled on Panzerplatte (38.57km), the famous stage held on the concrete roads of the Baumholder military base. This year’s rally should be no exception to the rule, with more than 150 kilometres of timed stages contested on tomorrow’s leg.

WHAT THEY SAID

Pierre Budar, Citroën Racing Team Principal

« Obviously, it’s been a bit of a mixed day for us, with the rain that Craig was one of the few drivers to suffer from and the technical issue that Mads had in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we remain committed and convinced that we can still do something in the rest of the race. »

Craig Breen

« It really does seem that I can’t get a break on a Friday. Things didn’t go the way I had hoped, but there’s still a long way to go. The weather is forecast to be dry and sunny tomorrow and I’ll have a decent road position, so hopefully I can show what we’re capable of. »

Mads Østberg

« I’m still learning about the car, and getting used to racing on tarmac again as well. Given the conditions, the morning went fairly well for us in terms of our pace. The afternoon was harder with the engine issue, but I really hope that tomorrow’s leg will work out better for us. »

STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1