Ostberg loses ground but stays ahead

The competitors of WRC set off again on the three stages already contested during the morning. From the first time trial, Vargäsen 2 (SS5), Mads Ostberg confirmed his performances of the morning by signing the scratch before taking his foot off in Likenäs 2 (SS6) in order to ensure and not risk being the victim of a pepine mechanical. It was finally in the last special, Lovhaugen 2, that the Norwegian lost time due to damage. “ On a bump, very early on the course, my headlight strip came off, he explained. From then on it was a nightmare. I tried to push but I couldn't see anything. I must therefore be satisfied with the outcome of this misadventure. I never thought I would be able to lead like this, so we can call it a good day. I'm still a little disappointed because I would have preferred to widen the gap to the extent that I will start in first position on the road tomorrow. Now that my lead is gone, it will be difficult ».

Mikko Hirvonen fears these conditions, because as second in the standings, he will start in the same place. The Finn can nevertheless hope that with the snowfall stopping, grip will improve. Perhaps he would have liked Petter Solberg, 3rd, to be in his place? The Norwegian lost time today due to persistent fogging on his windshield. Initially 4th behind his brother, Hennin Solberg returned his place to Latvala after being penalized for an early flight at the start of SS6.

The Citroën Racing drivers were not celebrating at the start of the course, although Sébastien Ogier inaugurated the DS3 WRC prize list with a scratch in SS6. He thus made up part of his delay after a navigation error at a crossroads this morning, and is in 6th place overall, at 1:21?? from Ostberg. Disturbed by his first place in the special starting order, Sébastien Loeb lost time again. Returning after SS6 thanks to his 2nd time, he again lost a minute in SS7 due to a puncture on the left front. He finished the day in 9th place, 2?48??4 from the lead. “ It was better in the last stages but for some reason I had a puncture 15 kilometers from the finish. However, I didn't touch anything “, he lamented. The last Citroën representative, Kimi Räikkönen lost his footing following an exit in SS2 and a puncture in SS7. He ranks 11th at the end of the day.

Finally, let's salute the excellent performance of the best S2000s. On their Skoda Fabia, Patrick Sandell and Eyvind Brynildsen entered the top 10 of the ranking, sandwiched between Ogier and Loeb.

Tomorrow, Mads Ostberg will leave the service park at 6:45 a.m. and will start the first special, Lesjöfors 1, at 8 a.m.

Find in issue 1791 of AUTOhebdo, currently on newsstands, our 28 pages devoted to the 2011 WRC Guide.