16 Mar 12

Rally Guanajuato
Mexico: Five
things we
learned

Sebastien Loeb might have left Mexico as the winner once again but there were still plenty of talking points following four days of thrilling action.

1: Loeb remains top of the world

Sebastien Loeb might not have been the fastest in Mexico but his victory, the 69th of his world championship career, owed plenty to his brilliance behind the wheel of his Citroen DS3 WRC as he avoided the setbacks that claimed two of his key rivals to extend his lead at the head of the title race.

2: Factory Fords are fast

With 11 stage victories between them, works Ford drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Petter Solberg were able to demonstrate the notable upturn in pace of the Blue Oval’s Fiesta RS WRC on a rally where the team had often struggled.

3: Latvala’s still fallible

The broken suspension and puncture that hobbled Jari-Matti Latvala’s factory Ford were unfortunate. The crash that ultimately forced his retirement in Mexico was proof that while the Finn is perhaps the fastest driver in the world championship he’s still prone to making mistakes, often with disastrous consequences.

4: Long stages excite

At 54 kilometres the Guanajuatito stage on Sunday morning was considered by some to be too long to maintain interest levels. Instead there was drama almost immediately as several drivers, not least third-placed Latvala, hit trouble.

5: Block’s a big hit with the fans

Ken Block might only be a bit-part player in this year’s WRC with a three-event schedule planned but he still attracts a huge following in his Monster-backed Ford.