Andreas Mikkelsen strong leader in Australia

At the head of a capital of 16″6 ahead of Kris Meeke (Citroën) before the second pass in the specials of the first stage of the Rally from Australia, Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) continued its momentum at the end of the day in the Antipodes to increase its lead at the head of the race.

Best time in SS4 and SS6, the Norwegian, who benefited from a rather favorable running order, completed both runs in the Destination NSW super-special and dominated the event ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai).

Despite some difficulties with his soft tires in the long special n°6 of Sherwood 2, the Belgian won SS5, SS7 (tied with Ott Tänak) and SS8 and thus overtook Kris Meeke to gain second place. Neuville is 20″1 behind leader Mikkelsen, when Meeke follows in third position, seven tenths behind Neuville.

Ogier always upset by mechanics

Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) se hisse en quatrième position à 29″9 et a pris le meilleur sur Craig Breen (Citroën), third after the first loop. The Irishman from the chevron brand suffered a puncture in SS4 at the rear right and gradually gave up ground in SS5 and SS6.

Ott Tänak (Ford), dont la Fiesta M-Sport a encore terminé sans diffuseur arrière, perdu dans l’ES4, suit en sixième position à 33″ devant Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) à 38″2 et Sébastien Ogier (Ford). Le champion du monde a de nouveau été victime d’un souci de sélection de rapport de boîte, comme dans la première boucle, avant de perdre son diffuseur arrière dans l’ES4. Le Français pointe à 47″9 du leader.

 @SebOgier and @OttTanak without diffusing after SS4 @RallyAustralia #WRC pic.twitter.com/6YjHlaqmii

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) November 17, 2017

Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën), again the victim of a puncture in SS4, and Elfyn Evans (Ford), who saw water seep into his car when crossing a ford in this same special, complete the top 10 ahead of Esapekka Lappi (Toyota), who lost a lot of time in the Australian morning after a power steering problem.

Kalle Rovenpera (Ford Fiesta R5) ranks 12th overall and 1st in WRC-2 (only competitor entered). The second stage of the Rally Australia will begin this evening at 21:18 p.m. with the longest stage of the event, Nambucca and its 48,89 km.

Rally Australia standings