Pontus Tidemand/Jonas Andersson triumphed in a dramatic duel to win Rally Mexico and continue Skoda’s winning run in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2). At the end of the 295 kilometres of special stage, the new world championship leader finished 42.7 seconds clear of rivals Eric Camilli/Benjamin Veillas. Starting last season, drivers in a Skoda Fabia R5 won 13 of the last 14 rounds of the world championship.
“I am proud of my drivers and the entire team. This rally was not for the faint-hearted, but Pontus Tidemand and Jonas Andersson kept a cool head to clinch a hugely important win,” said Skoda Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek.
The latest success was more proof of just how fast and reliable the Fabia R5 is
“Rally Mexico was really the ultimate test of durability. From the asphalt roads in the capital, the route climbed on gravel routes to almost 2750 metres above sea level and the highest point in the World Rally Championship. Our rally car ran perfectly in all conditions.”
26-year-old Tidemand put on a great show for the Mexican rally fans. Over the course of the four days, he was part of a thrilling battle for the win with Camilli. The lead changed hands on several occasions. After Tidemand ended the opening two days at the top of the standings, Camilli briefly took the lead on Saturday. However, Sweden’s Motorsport Athlete of the Year 2016, who had taken his foot off the gas a little on the tough gravel roads, bounced back in style. Three stage wins in a row in the “Autódromo de León” and on the roads around the service park in the city of León were enough to see him regain top spot in WRC 2.
Pontus Tidemand took a slender lead of 2.0 seconds into the final two stages, and pulled out all the stops
The Swede was 22.5 seconds quicker than Camilli on the 32.96-kilometre “La Calera”, clocking an outstanding time to all but wrap up the win. Tidemand followed this up with another fastest time to bring home the win in style on the closing Power Stage.
“That was a fantastic battle and a fantastic rally. We gained an incredible amount of experience at our first Rally Mexico. We are delighted with this success and are pleased with the great start we’ve made to the season,” said Pontus.
Victory in Mexico sees Tidemand succeed Finland’s Teemu Suninen, who won last year – also at the wheel of a Fabia R5. Local favourite Benito Guerra rounded off an outstanding result for Skoda in Mexico with third place in his Skoda.
This was Tidemand’s second victory in a row – he won also his home rally in Sweden. He now stands alone at the top of the WRC 2 standings. With a perfect score of 50 points from two starts, he leads Camilli (42) and Andreas Mikkelsen (25). The Norwegian won the opening race of 2017, the iconic Rally Monte Carlo, in a Fabia R5.
#PODIUM at @OfficialWRC @RallyMexico! ?? Big thanks to all of you that keeps on supporting us! ??☝#SKODA pic.twitter.com/qkKtxROXvA
— Pontus Tidemand (@PontusTidemand) 13 March 2017
