World RX – Ekström in the lead at Estering, Loeb in difficulty

Mattias Ekström (Audi S1) can still hope to finish runner-up in the World RX even though he missed a round due to a clash of dates with the DTM. The EKS boss-driver won the first qualifying round in Estering (Germany) before setting the second fastest time in Q2 behind Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208). The DTM leader occupies the provisional lead in the general classification ahead of the resident of Team Peugeot-Hansen.

So thathe had collarbone surgery at the start of the week following his accident in Riga (Latvia) and suffering from several broken ribs, Petter Solberg (Volkswagen) is in third place ahead of Andreas Bakkerud (Ford Focus) and the new reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Polo ).

If Kevin Hansen (Peugeot) followed in sixth place ahead of Toomas Heikkinen (Audi S1) and Sebastian Eriksson (Ford Fiesta), Sébastien Loeb (Peugeot) was further behind, only in 13th place at the end of the day. The nine-time champion of WRC only set the 18th fastest time in Q1 after contact with Reinis Nitiss (Audi S1).

Davy Jeanney (Peugeot), who replaces Jean-Baptiste Dubourg at DA Racing in this event, made a good start with the 12th fastest time in Q1 before finishing last in Q2. The former official Peugeot driver only occupies 19th place in the general classification.

The second part of the World RX meeting in Estering will be followed live this Sunday from 14 p.m. on the L'Équipe channel.