Rally Australia 2017
22h
The live action now continues on SS2, which has already ended for Sébastien Ogier (Ford).
22h
Author of a time of 5'17″2 over the 9,71 km of SS1 Pilbara 1 of the Rally Australia, Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) takes control of the final event of the 2017 WRC. The Norwegian precedes Kris Meeke (Citroën) by 1″3 and Sébastien Ogier’s Ford Fiesta WRC – M-Sport by 2″6.
Hayden Paddon, who once feared a puncture on his Hyundai i20, took 4th place at 4″8 ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), Ott Tänak (Ford), who lost his rear diffuser, Craig Breen (Citroën), Jari- Matti Latvala (Toyota), victim of intercom problems and who damaged the front bumper of his Yaris WRC.
Esapekka Lappi (Toyota), Elfyn Evans (Ford) and Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën) complete the ranking.
22h
Eleventh time for Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën) 16″2 behind Mikkelsen.
22h
Ninth time for Esapekka Lappi (Toyota).
22h
“Clean piloting, no errors. I'm happy with that. I could have pushed more but for a first SS, it was good. » specifies Mikkelsen, whose car is however marked on the right rear.
22h
Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) temporarily put everyone in agreement by setting the best time in 5'17″2.
22h
Sixth provisional time for Craig Breen (Citroën) 4″3 behind his teammate Kris Meeke.
22h
Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) takes the 3rd provisional time, 3″5 behind Meeke.
22h
The SS2 (Eastwood), 19,05 km long, is underway.
22h
Kris Meeke (Citroën) took the provisional best time in 5'18″5, 1″3 ahead of Sébastien Ogier. “I’m surprised at Seb’s time leading the way,” comments Meeke. I thought the road would get cleaner. »
22h
7″4 behind for Elfyn Evans (Ford) on Sébastien Ogier’s reference. The Briton, winner in Great Britain, is the only WRC driver to use Dmack tires. The manufacturer, remember, confirmed yesterday that it would no longer field any cars in 2018, and would concentrate on its work as a tire supplier.
22h
The Finn reports intercom problems and therefore difficulty concentrating. The front of the Yaris WRC is also damaged at the front bumper.
22h
Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) finished 3″2 behind the best time still held by Sébastien Ogier.
22h
Ott Tänak (Ford) finished the SS with the third provisional time in 5'22″5, 2″7 behind Ogier. The Estonian lost the rear diffuser of his Fiesta WRC. “I didn't have a good feeling with the car. »
22h
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) finally lost 2″4 on Ogier after this SS1. “I didn’t attack too much,” comments the Belgian. The grip was higher than expected with the soft tires, there was dust hanging around, I didn't go very fast. »
22h
“It's difficult in places, with a ford and a compression but we didn't hit anything. As I expected, it's slippery. We must try to do our best. » admits Ogier.
22h
Neuville (Hyundai) concedes 4″1 in the first partial.
22h
Sébastien Ogier (Ford) finished the SS in 5'19″8.
22h
Three minutes separate each car departure.
22h
Sébastien Ogier (Ford) started the special.
