Mikkelsen takes the lead, Ogier gets a scare

On foot Thursday morning, ahead in the evening! Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) a signé le meilleur temps de la super spéciale d’ouverture du Rally from Türkiye only a few hours after suffering a transmission failure on his car.

The Norwegian also slightly distanced himself from his rivals despite the short course of this super-special in the city. His closest pursuer, Craig Breen (Citroën) is at 2”5. Ott Tänak (Toyota) est troisième à 2’’8.

The surprise of this evening comes from Jan Kopecky (Skoda). On his Fabia R5, the 36-year-old Czech driver enters the ranks of the powerful WRC with the fifth fastest time (+3''4), but should certainly drop back during the Friday morning specials.

The duel for the general classification started well for Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). The Belgian guy, confirmed for three more years with Hyundai, is at the foot of the podium (+3''1), while Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford) n’est que 12e (+7’’5).

The five-time reigning world champion got caught in the heat on the landing of an artificial jump. The Fiesta WRC nosedived on landing, causing late braking and a lurch in the (fortunately plastic) guards. « Without me expecting it, the rear rose enormously on the jump and I couldn't brake to enter the next corner.", explained the Gapençais.

The first stage will begin at dawn, at 6:58 a.m. French time. No worries for our journalists who will offer you the live text of the event on AUTOhebdo.Fr !

WRC Ranking Rally of Türkiye 2018 Super-special: