WRC – Latvala benefits from Ogier’s exit in Germany

The first step of Rally from Germany offered its first big twist. While Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala were fighting for the lead of the event with fastest times, the reigning world champion went off the road in the last special of the day (SS6 Moselland) while he had five seconds of time. advances on his Finnish teammate who suddenly regains the reins of the race. Was the Frenchman disturbed by the 40-minute delay at the start of the special due to safety reasons (misplaced spectators)? Still, the Polo R WRC was not damaged and that the French driver will start again in Rally2 tomorrow to try to collect some points.

On the other hand, the day is idyllic for Jari-Matti Latvala who could try to achieve a second consecutive success after the one obtained on his land. The Finn already has a 37-second lead over his closest rival, none other than Kris Meeke. However, the Citroën driver is in danger since Dani Sordo, the winner of the 2013 edition, came back to less than six seconds by beating Andreas Mikkelsen by three seconds on the return to the service park. The peloton is tight since Thierry Neuville follows the Norwegian at 7”5 even if the Belgian was disturbed on the last course by the start of a fire and smoke in the passenger compartment.

The vice-world champion is closely followed by Mikko Hirvonen who has managed to repel the attacks of Elfyn Evans for the moment. Mads Ostberg gradually fell in the rankings and found himself eighth at the end of the first day. Bryan Bouffier is gaining experience and is in ninth place ahead of Martin Prokop.

In WRC 2, Bernardo Sousa retains the lead with only four tenths ahead of Pontus Tidemand. Julien Maurin now completes the provisional podium, 15 seconds from the lead.