Sébastien Ogier set the best time in the shakedown of the Rally from Australia by more than a second ahead of his teammates Andreas Mikkelsen and Jari-Matti Latvala. The double world champion, who has good hopes of winning a third coronation this weekend, nevertheless almost rolled over. The Frenchman had to take the wheel to put his Polo R back on WRC on all four wheels.
Kris Meeke was the closest of the Volkswagen drivers, beating the Hyundai de Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo and the Ford ofOtt Tänak. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) follows in 8th position ahead of Elfyn Evans (Ford). Stéphane Lefebvre, who replaces Mads Ostberg at short notice, completes the top ten.
Rally Australia shakedown results
1. Sébastien Ogier Volkswagen Polo R 2min 49.4sec
2. Andreas Mikkelsen Volkswagen Polo R 2min 50.5sec
3. Jari-Matti Latvala Volkswagen Polo R 2min 51.0sec
4. Kris Meeke DS 3 2min 51.5sec
5. Thierry Neuville Hyundai i20 2min 51.6sec
6= Dani Sordo Hyundai i20 2min 51.9sec
6= Ott Tänak Ford Fiesta RS 2min 51.9sec
8. Hayden Paddon Hyundai i20 2min 52.0sec
9. Elfyn Evans Ford Fiesta RS 2min 52.1sec
10. Stéphane Lefebvre DS 3 2min 53.4sec
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