Volkswagen motorsport boss Jost Capito said he was pleased with the performance of his team in 2012 despite a tough end to the WRC season in Spain.
Again running a pair of S2000 Skoda Fabias to help the team prepare for its 2013 entry with the new Polo WRC, the Spanish event turned out to be one of the more disappointing from a results point of view – with
Sebastien Ogier forced out with a drive-train issue at the end of day one and Andreas Mikkelsen down in 21st after being forced to use Rally 2 after an accident.
However, with multiple wins over the remainder of the season, Capito insisted it had been mission accomplished for VW as it prepares for next year.
“For us, the season was intended to be a year of learning from the very beginning. Overall, after twelve rallies and more than 4,500 kilometres of special stages, we can make a positive assessment,” he said. “We achieved what we were aiming for – that is for the entire crew to learn the processes in the
World Rally Championship.
“On top of that, our rally racers proved their driving skills on numerous occasions, first and foremost Sebastien Ogier, who clinched ten class victories. But I'm very pleased with our Volkswagen Juniors as well. I've got the fullest confidence in the team and am sure that we're optimally prepared for 2013.”
Ogier himself was also pleased with the way the team had performed in 2012 despite the season ending in disappointing fashion.
“At Monte at the beginning of the year we crashed and now at the season finale we had technical problems. Other than that, the season went superbly,” he said. “And, honestly speaking, I'm also proud of ten class victories. Whenever we saw the finish we were the quickest S2000 car. But I'm also glad that the year of transition is over.
“Now I'm incredibly excited about the beginning of the hot phase with the Polo R WRC – and about being able to compete with the top-flight drivers again at Rallye Monte Carlo.”