Why VW won't get the credit it deserves
Just weeks after news of its departure rocked the WRC, Volkswagen signed off in style with one last victory in Australia. But how will its programme be remembered in the years and decades to come?
Volkswagen technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison waited. The rally-winning Polo R WRC rolled to a halt next to him: the final control. Rally Australia victor Andreas Mikkelsen stepped out and smiled at the man who created the car he'd just brought home safely.
One last time. One last win.
"Great job, Andreas," smiled Demaison. "But, I'm sorry... you're sacked!"
Such levity helped defuse some of the emotion. Some.
Volkswagen's dieselgate-enforced departure from the World Rally Championship brings to an end the most successful, in terms of wins per starts, campaign from a single manufacturer in the series' history.
Share Or Save This Story
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
Autosport 70: How Richard Burns scaled the WRC mountain
Colin McRae's 10 greatest rallies ranked
Autosport 70: A world rally legend says goodbye?
Watch: The champions of rallying's craziest decade
FIA reveals 'Rally Star' prize scheme to find next WRC champion
WEC Imola: Ferrari remains on top in FP2 as Fuoco beats Porsche
WRC Croatia: Neuville, Evans tied for the lead after eight stages
WIN! A VIP Race Weekend Experience in Monaco
Lauda's 1976 German GP helmet to be auctioned at F1 Miami GP
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lappi survived Swedish snow carnage to snap his lengthy WRC drought
The new WRC highs Neuville reached to defeat Monte master Ogier
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
