Andreas Mikkelsen at the forefront in Germany

With a superb time in SS4 Rally from Germany this Friday morning, Andreas Mikkelsen had taken control of the race before the final timed sector. The Norwegian from Citroën Racing retained his advantage at the end of the fifth special to lead the event with a 4″1 lead over Ott Tänak (Ford) and 5″6 on Sébastien Ogier (Ford).

The reigning world champion, however, went off course in the first SS of the day, but was able to limit his loss of time to stay in contact with the leader. Elfyn Evans (Ford) follows in fourth position at 14″8 ahead Thierry Neuville (Hyundai).

The Belgian, leader of the world championship, certainly won SS5, but suffered a big scare in the third timed sector of the rally by going off the road and partly passing through the vineyards. Driving a front-damaged Hyundai i20, Neuville had to deal with chronic understeer and lost 17″ to Mikkelsen.

Sordo goes out, Latvala loses ground

Derrière Neuville, les Toyota de Esapekka Lappi et Juho Hänninen suivent au classement devant Craig Breen (Citroën) and Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), victim of a puncture in SS4.

One of the main victims of the morning is called Dani Sordo (Hyundai), went off the road in the fourth special, and including the i20 WRC found herself about forty meters below the road. The Spanish crew is doing well, and the car did not roll over.

SS4 #RallyDeutschland : @DaniSordo 's Hyundai i20 WRC off the road (crew OK) Latest news on https://t.co/fD9Uk52vV4 Live Center #WRC pic.twitter.com/7NKvdPwWXR

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) August 18

Another loser of this loop, Jari-Matti Latvala. The Toyota driver, fifth before SS5, lost almost a minute and a half in the last sector, plagued by engine problems on his Yaris WRC. The Finn is 10th in the rally at 1'36″8.

In WRC-2, Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia R5) leads the category ahead of Pontus Tidemand (Skoda Fabia R5) at 5″9, Teemu Suninen (Ford Fiesta R5, at 22″6) and Yoann Bonato (Citroën DS3 R5) , clocked at 23"3 and author of a superb start to the rally, despite a 10" penalty for a delay at a checkpoint following an engine problem. The Frenchman achieved two best times this Friday morning.

The afternoon loop will begin at 16:17 p.m. and will again be followed live on our website with our live text.

Rally Germany ranking