Portugal, SS4 – Sébastien Loeb takes control

But where will Sébastien stop? Loeb ? The nine-time world champion WRC, rather in the lead in the first three special stages of the morning, struck a major blow in the Arganil special. Sébastien Loeb set the scratch time (11'48") and took control of the event. While he was 10″1 behind leader Elfyn Evans, Loeb managed his tires and his mount perfectly to overturn the table and move from 7th to 1st place. The Alsatian was ahead Thierry Neuville (at 2″8) and Kalle Rovanperä (at 6″1), current leader of the world championship. Loeb is now 5 tenths ahead of Elfyn Evans at the end of the first loop.

As for other French people, Sébastien Ogier concluded SS4 with the 4th time, but 8”6 behind the performance of the Loeb-Galmiche duo. Pierre-Louis Loubet is 7th in SS4 (at 12”4), the second best time for a driver M-Sport, behind Loeb. As for Adrien fourmaux, the Northerner seems to be taking minimal risks (20 »3), and finds himself last of the Rally1 hybrids.

Stage classification

General classification