KINGSCLIFF, Australia — Mikko Hirvonen extended his World Rally Championship lead after being declared the winner of Rally Australia on Sunday when Sebastien Loeb was demoted to second place after incurring a penalty.
Five-time world champion Loeb initially won the rally by 12.5 seconds, but received a one-minute penalty after stewards found an irregularity in the Citroen C4s’ anti-roll bars.
Hirvonen’s fourth victory of the season extended his lead over Loeb in the drivers’ championship to five points with only the Spanish and British rounds remaining.
Dani Sordo and Sebastien Ogier, who also drive Citroens, received the same penalty. Sordo remained in third place, but Ogier ended up fifth. Ford’s Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala moved up to fourth.
Hirvonen is trying to become the first driver to deny Frenchman Loeb the title since Petter Solberg won in 2003.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
