WRC France: Latvala wins after Ogier's early retirement

Volkswagen’s Jari Matti Latvala took his third victory of the WRC season in Rally de France on Sunday, after teammate and recently crowned world champion Sebastien Ogier retired with technical issues.

Latvala finished the wet opening leg in third place, 22.9 seconds behind Elfyn Evans in the M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta. As the weather improved on Saturday, things started to turn Latvala’s way, with the Finnish driver gaining a net 24.9 seconds over Evans to surge to the lead.

In the final leg, Latvala further extended his advantage, eventually finishing the event by 43.1 seconds. This was his second consecutive victory in France, after the triumph in Alsace from year.

Evans, meanwhile, had to turn his attention on fending off Andreas Mikkelsen on the final day of Rally de France. The Norwegian driver rapidly reduced a sizeable 30.8 seconds deficit, eventually missing out on second place by just 3.2 seconds.

Behind the podium finishers, Citroen’s Kris Meeke finished in fourth place, ahead of Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon and teammate Mads Ostberg. Hyundai's Dani Sordo won the SS8 on the final day, allowing him to break into the top 10.

Meanwhile, Sebastien Ogier’s chances of clinching his eighth victory of the WRC season went up in smoke after his Volkswagen Polo retired with gearbox problems on Friday. Three bonus points in the rally-concluding power stage was his only consolation prize.

2015 WRC Rallye de France - Results

1. Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen) 2:36:46.7
2. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) +43.1s
3. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) +46.3
4. Kris Meeke (Citroen) +1:33.4
5. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) +1:53.6
6. Mads Ostberg (Citroen) +1:59.8
7. Dani Sordo (Hyundai) +2:10.4