Gilbert closes on a fifth Junior WRC win
Champion on course for his fifth victory in six rounds
Junior champion Gilbert makes it five from six
Newly-crowned Junior WRC champion Quentin Gilbert racked up his fifth win from six starts this season with victory at Spain’s RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada on Sunday.
The Frenchman, who secured the title on the last round in Corsica, sprang into the lead on the first stage. But he had a fight on his hands on Saturday morning when a time penalty for leaving service late and then a puncture dropped him almost two minutes behind Simone Tempestini.
But when Tempestini also punctured in the afternoon Gilbert found himself back in the lead and he managed his pace through Sunday's six stages to take victory by 1min 37.9sec. Fellow Frenchman Terry Folb was second while Italian Tempestini was third, 2m 22.6sec further back.
“As soon as we reclaimed first position it was important to control the race,” said Gilbert. “I’m really pleased with our performance and with our season. The whole team has done a fantastic job. We have ended up winning five out of six rallies this year in the FIA Junior WRC!”
Mohammed Al Mutawaa recorded his best result so far with fourth, finishing ahead of Pierre-Louis Loubet, Federico Della Casa and Ole Christian Veiby. All were driving Citroen DS3 R3 Max cars.
All Junior drivers are also registered for the WRC 3 support category. Gilbert extended his lead to 19 points over Tempestini and is firm favourite to secure a second title at the final round in Wales next month.
