WRC
Monte Carlo: Citroen final summary
The Triple Crown for Loeb and Citroën! For the third year in a row, Sébastien Loeb, his Monaco-born co-driver Daniel Elena and the Citroën Xsara have triumphed in rallying's oldest and most prestigious fixture. In addition to leading from start ...
Edited: Jan 26, 2005, 5:20 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Triple Crown for Loeb and Citroën!
For the third year in a row, Sébastien Loeb, his Monaco-born co-driver Daniel Elena and the Citroën Xsara have triumphed in rallying's oldest and most prestigious fixture. In addition to leading from start to finish and claiming the highest number of stage wins, they put in a faultless run to add panache to their incontestable success, the eleventh of their career together.
Sébastien's exploit sees him join the ranks of those drivers who have forged the legend of the Monte Carlo Rally, including such celebrated names as Sandro Munari and Walter Röhrl (four wins each, including three-in-a-row), Tommi Mäkinen (four consecutive wins), Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz (three non consecutive wins each).
"I was perhaps happier after the 2002 event because it was all so new," says Seb. "I made a name for myself that year by dominating the others until a time penalty dropped me to 2nd place. Ever since, this rally has been good to me. Each time I take the start I am as motivated as ever and I'm certainly not tired of winning. There's something special about this event: it's the most famous rally of them all and it's where my co-driver Daniel comes from. And I couldn't have got my 2005 campaign off to a better start…"
"Seb is a great guy," joked Daniel Elena with his customary Mediterranean humour. "He has taken three consecutive wins on what is practically home ground for him, in Germany, and now he's allowed me to draw level by winning in my home country!"
"I'm like Seb and Daniel; I never tire of winning," beamed Guy Fréquelin. "I am proud of our company, proud of this team and delighted to see Seb and Daniel so happy. On top of that, François Duval gave a glimpse of his promise, while Manfred Stohl finished in the points, up amongst other officially nominated drivers, in his privately-entered Xsara. And to cap it all, Citroën scored a WRC/JWRC double with Kris Meeke, Kronos and our Customer Competition team who have given the C2 Super 1600 its first win in the Junior series which also saw Daniel Sordo stage a strong come-back to 4th place."
When the Xsaras finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in 2003, Colin McRae commented that the Monte Carlo is the round which, more than any other, requires a true team effort, an observation which still stands today. And indeed, in addition Sébastien and Daniel's impeccable run, the 2003 and 2004 Manufacturers' championship winning squad also enjoyed a faultless weekend.
Once the brakes of François Duval's car had been adjusted to the Belgian's demands, the Xsaras weren't slowed by the slightest problem. The team's tyre choices, perhaps a little easier this year with the rally based further south, were spot on each time. Meanwhile, the team had set itself the target of proving that the quality of its work, its motivation and its winning instinct were all still intact. Mission accomplished!
-peugeot-
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Monte Carlo: Final summary
Next article Monte Carlo: Mitsubishi final summary
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Citroën World Rally Team
Citroen reveals new-look 2025 WRC line-up
WRC
WRC
Rally Monte Carlo
Citroen reveals new-look 2025 WRC line-up
Ostberg gets full WRC2 season with Citroen
WRC
WRC
Ostberg gets full WRC2 season with Citroen
Citroen open to making WRC car available to privateers
WRC
WRC
Citroen open to making WRC car available to privateers
Latest news
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
2 h
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe