Mikko Hirvonen in the dust

A small mistake and a lot of dust prevented Mikko Hirvonen from closing the gap on Sébastien Loeb. With two new best times, the Citroën driver further increased the gap to 31”1 before the last three special stages.

Published on 05/04/2009 à 10:28

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Like Friday, Sébastien Loeb opens the road: “I drove quite well but the roads are extremely slippery. I almost spun in the first stage. I don't know if the road is cleaned after our passage but I am satisfied with this start to the day. »

Without showing any resignation, Mikko Hirvonen was not able to reduce his delay this morning: “I stalled at a junction in the first special. There is a lot of dust. Without wind, visibility is very low. »

Dani Sordo maintains third position ahead of Petter Solberg. Henning Solberg did not put Matthew Wilson?s fifth place in danger this morning.

On the other hand, the duel for seventh position turned to the advantage of Mads Ostberg. The Adapta driver passed Evgeny Novikov in the first stage of the day before the Russian broke a steering link on SS15. Conrad Rautenbach took the opportunity to enter the top 8.

Back in SuperRally after his mistake yesterday, Sébastien Ogier shows itself to its advantage today. After an eighth time in the first stage, the Junior World Champion placed third in SS15 behind Loeb and Hirvonen.

There are three special stages remaining: another passage in the morning loop and a final in the Algarve Stadium at 14 p.m.