Volkswagen Motorsport chief Sven Smeets hopes the legacy the manufacturer has left will long be remembered in the World Rally Championship.
VW drew the curtain on one of the most sustained blitzes in WRC history with a 1-2 at Kennards Hire Rally Australia.
Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen managed to lead home the four-times world champion Sebastien Ogier as the manufacturer farewelled the sport they have dominated in its incomparable Polo WRC rockets.
Mikkelsen’s third win for VW added to the 31 WRC rallies claimed by Ogier and the 9 by Jari-Matti Latvala since it entered the championship four years ago.
Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia have won the last four driver’s and co-driver titles in the WRC while VW has scooped the manufacturer’s crown over the same period.
The invincible streak was only unplugged by orders from Wolfsburg to can the campaign amid the crisis which hit the company over its diesel emissions crisis.
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Smeets took over the top job at the rally team in September in place of Jost Capito who had moved to McLaren F1 as the chief executive.
“I’m very happy that we ended it like this. They (drivers) performed fantastically. It was a huge battle,” Smeets said.
“This is how it is. Big companies make big decisions and we have to respect it.
“There’s always a future and that’s what we have to look to.”
At the final service at Coffs Harbour, the rival Hyundai WRC team paid respect to the departing VW in a show of solidarity in the tight-knit rallying discipline.
“WRC has always been a big family. We did it for Hyundai when they got their first victory in Germany two years ago,” Smeets said.
“And they did it for us today. And I think it has always been a big part of the sport.
“I hope we left a mark. I think the results speak for itself. I hope in other ways, in marketing, whatever this is something that will never be forgotten.”
Mikkelsen and Ogier both elaborated on their feelings at the end of the VW era.
“In the last kilometre I was telling Anders (co-driver Jaeger) wow I’m going to miss this car, miss this team and it will be strange not to tackle WRC rallies with an amazing crew that we have,” Mikkelsen said.
“I really enjoyed my last time in the Polo. We were maximum attack right from the very first stage.
“This one (Rally Australia) is so special. I know it’s the last one with VW and that makes it really special.”
Ogier said he will cherish the VW memories forever.
“It has been hard to watch all the team on the last service with the tears in the eyes knowing it was the last time with all we have done together,” Ogier explained.
“We have to look ahead. That’s life. Sometimes a corner you don’t expect is coming and you have to be able to look forward.
“I will cherish this year and I will remember that forever.”
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