Sebastien Ogier plays Hattrick @ Rally de Portugal | WRC - 2013

Sebastien Ogier displays his dominance over the rest of the competition, of what potential he's got! It might not have been the same if Mads Ostberg & Dani Sordo had not crashed, but he survived on top to prove his talent when his peers succumbed.

Mikko Hirvonen finishing the rally in 2nd position

Things were different for his team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, when his car in the first two stages were nearly a disaster and who lost more than 4 minutes and slipping to 3rd overall when his car lost the rear-wheel drive rendering it into a FWD only mode. However in the mid-day service it was fixed and was fast enough to secure his, now 3rd overall and to finish their first podium in the new team with the extra bonus point from 3rd quickest time in Power Stage. Ogier too had issues with the clutch, but endured the machine to the mid-day service to have it too fixed. He won the only important stage, the Power Stage to take those extra 3 bonus points.

Dennis Kuipers back in action

Mads Ostberg showed his talents by winning the first 3 stages of the day, and second fastest in the Power Stage to add 2 points to his championship score, and two more for finishing the rally in 8th overall. Despite of starting early in 3rd position, while the top players enjoyed a cleaner and later grid positions.

Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen finished the rally in 2nd overall and was the least discussed competitor. Maybe his consistent is just too good to be fiddled with, or he is slowing loosing his pace. Hope it is not the latter.

So that's it for this weekend action at Rally Portugal, see you soon at Philips LED Rally Argentina. Just for a reminder, Sebastien Loeb will be back in action here!