Drama for Ostberg, Ogier enjoys healthy lead

First part of todays 2nd leg of 2013 Rally Mexico is over and crews are enjoying a brief break before redoing the same set of long stages once again. Even though Sebastien Ogier is in a very comfortable lead, he is pushing pretty hard and reminds us once again of Sebastien Loeb, who never really knew how to drive slowly and more relaxed. Similar to that, Ogier says he is not pushing, but the times he is setting claim otherwise.

First part of second leg also marked an end of podium hopes for Mads Ostberg. Norwegian ace was chasing Ogier, prompting Frenchman to name him (Ostberg) as his main rival in this really. Ostberg also had no trouble keeping Mikko Hirvonen under control, but his hopes were dashed when he arrived to the finish of the first stage of the day with apparent clutch problems. Not long after that team confirmed Ostberg was out of the rally due to an alternator failure. Despite that, his pace was excellent, and I for one am thrilled to see him perform so well – if Mexico is anything to go by, Mads is looking very good for the rest of the season.

Ostberg’s demise promoted Thierry Neuville to third place, and ended the battle for second, since Neuville sits well over 1 and a half minute behind Hirvonen, who inherited second. In the afternoon we are hoping to see Nasser Al-Attiyah attempts at catching dejected Dani Sordo, who sounded pretty lost at the end of both stages. “I don’t know. If I push any harder, we are off. Car is sliding everywhere, it’s very slippery”, Sordo explained.

Jari-Matti Latvala resorted to testing duties today, intentionally losing time before the second stage in order to gain a more favourable starting position. “Our aim is to test the car and see the limits, I need gravel kilometers in Polo, and we are now trying out different engine and suspension ideas”, said Latvala.