Michelin's bid meanwhile to get the
FIA tyre tender decision for the WRC from 2008-2010 - which went in the favour of rivals, Pirelli, annulled due to alleged 'irregularities' failed at the first hurdle, after a French court dismissed the action. However despite this latest set-back, the French tyre manufacturer is undeterred and has now confirmed that it will appeal against the decision of the court.
News from the Manufacturers' teams:
Citroen Total WRT:
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Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and
Daniel Sordo, car #2]
Sebastien Loeb has predicted that it will be another close battle between him and Marcus Gronholm on the Rally Argentina. Seb leads the race for drivers’ championship following the last event in Portugal and is now looking forward to the trip to Argentina.
"It's a great rally," said the Citroen man. "The stages are challenging, the spectators are extremely enthusiastic and we always get to eat great meat! The C4 WRC has shown it is competitive on dirt, but we have also seen that we have had to push hard to make a difference. When you're fighting to the nearest second, it can always go either way. I am optimistic, but I think it will be very close."
Loeb has won the last two events in succession, but unlike in Mexico and Portugal, he will now have to run first on the road on the first leg something that could put him at a disadvantage as he will have to sweep away all of the loose gravel.
Seb isn’t especially bothered though: "Our results since Norway couldn't have been better. But Marcus followed us across the line each time, so it was difficult to make any real inroads into his lead. Had he not been penalised in Portugal, we would have been separated by two points today. As it stands, I am now one point clear,” he continued.
“That confirms how crucial consistency is. We will effectively be first on the road on Day 1 in Argentina but he will be just one place behind us, so it shouldn't have too big an incidence. Anyway, as I always say, if I'm first on the road it's because I'm leading the World Championship."
