Intro:

Sebastien Ogier won a dramatic victory at Rally Sweden on Sunday (15th February) as his Volkswagen team mate Andreas Mikkelsen crashed out on the final stage.

Script:

Heading into the final stage of the Rally of Sweden, Andreas Mikkelsen held a precious three second lead.

Keep his advantage and hold his nerve and Mikkelsen would capture his maiden WRC win - and that's exactly what didn't happen.

Disaster fell the Norwegian, as he touched a bank and his Volkswagen Polo R dragged deep into the snow.

His mistake was a decisive one, as he lost nearly 43 seconds on Ogier to throw away his chance of victory.

And it appeared all too much for the Nowegian Mikkelsen.

SOUNDBITE: (English), Andreas Mikkelsen:
"Disappointed of course. We gave it everything, I really wish it could happen here. OK, I am proud of myself what we have done this weekend. We really gave it all and gave the world champion a great fight. But sadly I did a mistake and that's life."

Back on the track, Ogier set the fastest time to beat Thierry Neuville by 6.4 seconds, with his Volkswagen team-mate Mikkelsen dropping to third.

SOUNDBITE: (English), Sebastien Ogier:
"Flat out, flat out from the beginning to the end. Even by opening the road 85 per cent of the rally we won. It is amazing victory, so happy and so proud."

Ogier now sits with two wins from the first two rallies of the season, as the drivers now head to Mexico.