Croatia Rally 2022
11h
Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën C3 Rally2) put in a very good performance. The Frenchman sets the 6th best absolute time and is ahead of the Ford Puma Rally1 hybrids of Gus Greensmith and Pierre-Louis Loubet! In the general classification, Yohan Rossel takes a little breath from Nikolay Gryazin with a 43″8 margin.
11h
The return of rain and fog in this 2022 Croatia Rally should have benefited Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota). The leader of the event had in fact anticipated these weather conditions by setting off with four grooved tires, but a puncture to the left front wheel in the first turns called into question all his work.
It was in fact almost a minute that the young 21-year-old driver lost to Ott Tänak (Hyundai). Bad luck for him, the Estonian was the only other driver to have worn all four rain tires! As a result, the 2019 world champion makes a giant leap in the general classification and is only 18″2 behind before the last special stage on Saturday morning!
11h
The Finn lost 54″ following a puncture to the left front wheel! His lead in the general classification has melted like snow in the sun!
General classification
11h
Kalle Rovanperä is in trouble! The leader of this Croatian Rally loses almost a minute! On the on-board cameras, the steering wheel of the Toyota Yaris GR hybrid is never straight…
11h
With an 18″6 lead over his teammate Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak crushes this special! The Estonian takes a 32″ margin over Craig Breen, who only chose two wet tires. “In these conditions, you don't worry about your time but rather about being able to finish the special! »
10h
“These were the worst road conditions I have ever seen in my entire career” summarizes Craig Breen, who recorded the 2nd provisional time, 6 tenths behind Thierry Neuville.
10h
The difference in speed between Ott Tänak and the other previous drivers is obvious! The Hyundai Motorsport driver is in the lead by 6″9 over Thierry Neuville after just 4,49 km.
10h
Thierry Neuville passes with the best provisional time, 7″ ahead of Esapekka Lappi. “I couldn't get the tires up to temperature. »
10h
It was minus one for Thierry Neuville! The Belgian hit a bush on the side of the road but the Hyundai was able to continue on its way. Takamoto Katsuta finished almost a minute behind Esapekka Lappi.
10h
The drivers perform feats to keep their cars on the road despite slick tires for most of the competitors.
10h
Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak are the only drivers to have fitted four wet tires this morning! The Finn and the Estonian could be the big winners of this ES.
10h
Pierre-Louis Loubet loses 17″ on Esapekka Lappi in this difficult special. “It’s impossible to see beyond 10 meters! »
10h
Visibility at the end of the special is very reduced, as evidenced by this on-board camera in Loubet's Ford Puma hybrid:
10h
Esapekka Lappi finishes without having experienced some heat! “You can't get involved behind the wheel. There are a lot of water channels on the road, I did a lot of hydroplaning. I was careful after my slide in the first corner but it was really limited! »
10h
The choice of tires will be important in these tricky conditions. Lappi slipped but was able to continue, the Finn being equipped with two wet tires and two slick tires.
10h
The rain returns at the Croatia Rally! The road is completely wet for the passage of Esapekka Lappi, and the fog is also back!
