Tänak solid leader in Sweden

Ott Tänak (Toyota) a pris un bel avantage dans le premier passage de la deuxième étape du Rally de Suède. Après avoir repris Teemu Suninen (M-Sport), l’Estonien a vu son adversaire direct partir à la faute sur le parcours de Hagfors. Le Finlandais a perdu plus d’une minute en étant bloqué dans la neige.

The heartbreaking moment that @TeemuSuninenRac and @SalminenMarko fell from the fight at the front. The young Finn is bitterly disappointed, but the snowbanks have caught out so many drivers this weekend and he has been amazing! Let's keep up the pace this afternoon! #WRC pic.twitter.com/iasndIl50l

- M-Sport (@MSportLtd) 16th February 2019

C’est désormais Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) qui occupe la deuxième position à plus de 33 secondes de la première Toyota Yaris WRC. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) completes the provisional podium, but the top three could well change given the tight gaps in the peloton.

Elfyn Evans is only one second ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) who moved up to 4th position after overtaking Esapekka Lappi (Citroën) for a one second lead on the last course of the morning. The Finn from the Reds is under pressure since Kris Meele (Toyota) follows him at 6 seconds.

“I feel comfortable in the car,” confirmed the Belgian. I am aiming for 2nd place which is not far away (18 seconds). The car was a little too soft at times and I didn't feel fully confident in launching the attack. Conditions should be better in the second passage than yesterday afternoon. »

Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai) remains behind since the nine-time WRC champion is now in 7th place despite the error of Teemu Suninen who could quickly catch up with the Alsatian by being 9 seconds behind.

“My grades were slow but so was I, comments the Alsatian. So I'm not satisfied. It's been a long time since I've been here. The feeling of the car is good, but the level of downforce is different compared to the last time I came. I will try to do better than this morning, it should be possible. We corrected the notes this morning to ensure we were more efficient. »

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen) completes the Top 10 in the general classification by occupying the lead in WRC 2 ahead of his teammate Johan Kristoffersson. The double World RX champion is in a duel with Jari Huttunen (Skoda) while Mads Ostberg (Citroën), the leader of WRC 2 Pro, is still half a minute from the fight.

The second pass of the second stage of the Rally Sweden is scheduled to be contested from 13:02 p.m. The event can be followed live with our live text.