Retirements from both Latvala and Aava on Friday boosted him into 1st place overall, a position that he never let go to the finish line. Despite winning all days of Rally Ireland and finishing it more than one minute ahead of teammate Dani Sordo, the Citroen driver reckoned that it was not an easy ride this weekend.
“Even though we weren't on the ideal rubber for the first loop, we were able to control from in front. Don't get me wrong; this weekend's win was no stroll. Given the delicate conditions, it was essential to have a car that was easy to drive and my C4 WRC was perfect from start to finish. Today's victory was obviously the best way possible to kick off this year's championship,” said Loeb after taking his first win of the season.
Being known as a asphalt expert in the WRC, Loeb's win in Ireland was mandatory, as revealed by Citroen team boss Olivier Quesnel. This year's schedule only includes 2 events that are to be held on such a surface, so the pressure was very high to scoring the best result possible in the season opener. Especially since Rally Norway is next, where Loeb is yet to win a point in the WRC (having finished 14th two years ago).
“We had been hoping to start the season with a win, if only because the 2009 calendar features just 12 rounds, with only two on asphalt. (In the next event) we won't be favorites because the second round takes place on a terrain that tends to be more suited to the Scandinavian specialists,” argued Quesnel.
Norway will host its second WRC event this year, following their debut in the championship two years ago. The snowy roads of Norway were mastered by Ford's Mikko Hirvonen in 2007.
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