Tänak still leader in Australia, Ogier in control

The rain finally made its appearance during the double pass in the Destination NSW super-special, contested this Saturday in Australia.

The sky thus disrupted the runs of Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford), Esapekka Lappi, Ott Tänak, Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota), Hayden Paddon et Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) et les Citroën C3 de Mads Ostberg et Craig Breen.

The hierarchy established after SS16 has thus evolved slightly, but still sees Ott Tänak dominate the event at the wheel of his Toyota Yaris after taking the lead during the day.

The Estonian leads the peloton with 21″9 ahead of his teammate Jari-Matti Latvala, who lost a lot of time on these two short SS, he who was 9″7 before Destination NSW. The two drivers from Tommi Mäkinen's team, however, place the Japanese firm in an ideal position with a view to the Manufacturers' title.

The Yaris took power against the Citroën C3, which even slipped behind Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), 3rd overall, but only 4″4 behind Latvala. Mads Ostberg (Citroën), leader after the first day, remains the last Citroën representative still in contention for the podium, following the penalty received by Craig Breen for a late check-in this Saturday.

The top 5 is completed by Esapekka Lappi (Toyota) who is ahead Sébastien Ogier, still 6th ahead of his teammate Elfyn Evans, and in a preferential position to win the world crown against Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) which remains more than 50″ from the Frenchman. Teemu Suninen (M-Sport Ford) and Craig Breen complete the top 10.

Mikkelsen remains out of the top ten positions, the Norwegian having hit a concrete block during the second pass in the concluding super-special of the day. Alberto Heller (Ford Fiesta R5) remains in the lead in WRC.

WRC standings after SS18 –
1. Tänak 2h 07m 52.0sec
2. Latvala +21.9sec
3. Paddon +26.3sec
4. Østberg +46.6sec
5. Lappi +50.4sec
6. Ogier +1m 44.8sec
Neuville is in 8th #WRC

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) November 17, 2018

The last step of Rally of Australia 2018 will begin this Saturday evening at 20:53 p.m. French time, and can be followed live and in full on our website with our live text.