Citroen duo Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo maintained complete control of Rally Spain yesterday, as Oliver Quesnel, the French manufacturer's team director, confirmed the pair will remain at the team next season in the World Rally Championship.
"Dani and Sebastien will be driving for Citroen next year. It's official. We agreed everything so that is done," said Quesnel, who also revealed Junior team prospect Sebastien Ogier will retain his seat in 2010.
Having watched a Citroen quartet win every one of the six stages in Rally Spain's second leg yesterday, Quesnel also added he would not object to Loeb driving a Formula One car in November's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Quesnel's 2010 team announcement ends speculation five-time world champion Loeb will make a full-time switch to circuit-based motorsport next year.
The Frenchman, who trails BP Ford Abu Dhabi's Mikko Hirvonen in the drivers' table by five points, is back to his dominant best.
Loeb has won the Catalonia event four years running and Citroen are on course for a fifth consecutive one-two finish in the Tarragona region - a result which would secure them a second successive manufacturers' title.
Sordo and Loeb exchanged the lead throughout day two, winning three of the day's six stages - Ogier and Petter Solberg shared the other three stage wins.
"It's very equal," said Loeb. "I'm happy with my drive, and it seems that all the Citroens are fast."
Loeb leads Sordo by 1.5secs. But with just six stages remaining today, they lead Hirvonen by more than 45secs, with Solberg fourth.
"I'm not really sure why I'm a bit slower - the feeling is still okay," said Hirvonen.
Hirvonen's Ford teammate, Jari-Matti Latvala, trails fifth-placed Ogier by more than a minute.
Following an engine fire which forced his retirement on day one, Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalid al Qassimi mounted a strong recovery yesterday. Al Qassimi, starting leg two in 42nd place, posted a string of top-12 stage times, climbing 26 positions to 18th place overall.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
THE%20SWIMMERS
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