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| |  Sunday, 7 October, 2001, 12:27 GMT 13:27 UK Panizzi claims San Remo crown Panizzi claimed his second successive San Remo win France's Gilles Panizzi has won the San Remo Rally, claiming his first victory of the season. The Peugeot driver, who was the overnight leader, beat compatriots Sebastien Loeb in a Citroen and Didier Auriol, also driving a Peugeot. Panizzi, held a healthy 34.5-second lead going into the final day but lost ground to newcomer Loeb in the early stages. Loeb, making his world championship debut, slashed the lead to 11.4 seconds after the second of four stages on the final day.
But Panizzi was quick enough on the final stage to keep Loeb at bay and win the title for the second successive year. "I started quickly (on the final leg) but wanted to be safe," Panizzi said. "We heard through the radio that we had gained some time and after that we eased off a little bit. "There is no doubt that the car has been working perfectly, but I have also had to concentrate. Sebastien is a very quick driver. "I have had to drive very quickly to stay at the front. I had hoped to keep the lead because this is a good rally and I wanted to win it again. I have done that and I am very happy." Loeb, too, was pleased with his performance. "The car has been perfect. At the start of the day I didn't think I could attack Gilles's lead because it was too much," he said. "All I wanted to do was keep second place. I got a bit closer to the front than I had expected but I am happy to achieve the goal that I set out to." Finland's Tommi Makinen and Britain's Colin McRae remain the overall leaders after 11 rounds of the World Rally championship.
But a profitable weekend for Peugeot ensured changes at the top of the constructors' standings with the French stable closing fast on Ford and Mitsubishi. Four-time world champion Makinen in a Mitusubishi, was forced to quit when a wheel came off his car during an accident on the penultimate stage of the day. Behind the leading French trio, Finland's defending champion Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot) lost his fourth place because of steering problems. He was passed by Spain's Carlos Sainz (Ford Focus), Italy's Renato Travaglia (Peugeot 206 WRC) and Francois Delecour of France (Ford Focus WRC). Final standings 1. Gilles Panizzi (Fra) Peugeot 206 WRC 4hrs 05min 49.5sec Drivers' standings: Constructors' standings: | |
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