Rally Finland 2017

06h

Teemu Suninen (Ford) takes the scratch on SS2 of the Rally Finland for his WRC debut. The M-Sport driver completed the 7,65km from Halinen in 3’39”7, a tenth ahead of Kris Meeke (Citroën). Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) followed 3 tenths behind, preceding Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) and Sébastien Ogier (Ford). Hyundai drivers Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo were more than 5 seconds behind the benchmark.

Ott Tänak (Ford), author of the 7th fastest time of SS2 less than a second from the scratch, remains in the lead of the Rally of Finland with a second ahead of his teammate Sébastien Ogier. Craig Breen (Citroën) completes the provisional podium ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala and Hayden Paddon. Thierry Neuville is 10th, 5”5 behind the leader.

06h

Suninen signs the provisional scratch with a time of 3’39″7, a tenth better than Meeke. “I remained cautious like the other drivers. We can go faster. »

06h

Ostberg ranks 1″9 behind Meeke, setting the 8th provisional time. “It went pretty well, but the stage was quite complicated with a level of grip that was quite difficult to see. »

06h

Lappi sets the 9th provisional time, 3″3 behind Meeke. “It was quite slippery. I lack experience dealing with others. »

06h

Meeke takes the provisional scratch with a time of 3'39"8 where he is ahead of Paddon by 2 tenths. “It’s going to be a long day with 12 stages. I no longer swept in my position even though it was slippery. »

06h

Hänninen failed 7 tenths behind Paddon after having had a 7 tenth lead over the Hyundai driver at the first intermediate. “The stage was a bit slippery, but the course was very beautiful. I hope to improve my times. »

06h

Breen finished 6 tenths behind Paddon's provisional scratch. “You have to be involved in this rally. »

06h

The passages of the first in SS2:

 

06h

Paddon takes the provisional scratch with a time of 3'40"0, a tenth better than Latvala. “It’s a good way to wake up. »

06h

Evans ranks 1″9 behind Latvala’s provisional scratch, setting the 4th fastest time in SS2. “It’s a very nice stage, despite some wet spots in places. »

06h

Sordo fails 6″2 behind Latvala. He is the slowest among the drivers at the finish. “I wasn’t fast enough…”

06h

Tänak finished half a second behind Latvala. “It was a good stage, but I was surprised by the precarious grip that made us slide. That wasn't a problem. »

06h

Latvala takes the provisional scratch with a time of 3’40″1, a tenth better than Ogier. “I didn’t expect such a low level of grip, but my pace seems good. »

06h

Neuville lost ground 4”8 behind Ogier. “I don’t know why I’m so withdrawn. My pace must not have been good enough. I have to go faster, but I can't do better. »

06h

Ogier set a time of 3’40”2. The course is a little wet due to a light rain that fell during the night. “The conditions were good. We're off to a good start. »

06h

Overview of the first stage route:

 

06h

The first crews are already in the special.

06h

The 7,65km Halinen is a difficult special stage with very narrow roads. Drivers must remain cautious due to the many stones along the road. The crews can take advantage of a very long straight at the 5th km which includes a significant jump. The course has been lengthened by a few hundred meters this year.

06h

Images of the assistance on Tänak’s Ford before the 1st stage:

 

05h

The program for the first stage (local time):

 

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