Rally Finland 2019
08h
SS21 will start at 8:38 a.m. and will be the first pass through the Ruuhimäki course, which will serve as the Power Stage later in the morning.
08h
Ott Tänak set the best time on SS20 of the Rally Finland, the first special of the final stage. The Estonian from Toyota Gazoo Racing is ahead of Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) by 1″1 and further consolidates his lead at the head of the event.
Esapekka Lappi (Citroën) concedes 3″6 over Tänak but remains 2nd in the general classification, 20″ ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota), at 30″9.
Despite a car having gone into neutral mode at an intersection, Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) retained his 4th place by 1″ ahead of Sébastien Ogier. Craig Breen (Hyundai) lost slightly in the fight for 4th place, being pushed back to 10″5 behind Ogier.
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), and the two Ford Fiesta – M-Sport Ford of Teemu Suninen and Gus Greensmith complete the WRC general classification ahead of Kalle Rovanperä (Skoda) still leader in WRC2 Pro ahead of Eric Camilli (Ford).
08h
In 5'29″7, Ott Tänak sets the reference time for this SS20 for 1″1 over Sébastien Ogier. The Toyota driver admits “to being surprised, because everything was clean. We are on a good pace. »
07h
5'33″3 for Esapekka Lappi (Citroën), who concedes 2″5 on his leader Sébastien Ogier. “I was a little too good to be honest, but it's better than last year! To be honest, it's quite easy to improve. »
07h
Latvala (Toyota) does not improve Ogier's time, leaving 1″ on the Citroën C3 WRC. “Not really happy, it’s not the driving I want. Something is missing. Especially in braking zones. »
07h
1″6 lost by Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) on Ogier. The Norwegian, who was ahead of the Frenchman until the second part, admits that the car went into neutral gear at a hairpin.
07h
“I feel much better than yesterday, and I enjoyed the driving. It's going to be tight, I know I'll have to push until the end. » admits Ogier.
07h
Great performance from Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) who puts pressure on Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) for 4th place. 5'30″8 for the world champion.
07h
Craig Breen (Hyundai) finished in 5'35"3, lowering Neuville's benchmark by 2"1. The Irishman is fighting for 4th place with Ogier and Mikkelsen.
“I have to attack more than that, clearly. » confesses Breen.
07h
Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) is clearly the fastest in the first partial.
07h
“I had a SS without problems and I saved my tires, but as always, there is a sweep,” explains Neuville. I'm going to try to have a good Power Stage to try to pick up points. »
07h
5'37″4, clear improvement from Neuville on Suninen's previous reference.
07h
5'40″1, new benchmark established by Teemu Suninen in this SS20.
07h
“It makes a difference to have a car in front on the road. » confesses Greensmith
07h
2″3 behind for Greensmith over Meeke
07h
Suninen is ahead of Meeke and Greensmith in the intermediate partials.
07h
5'42″2 for Kris Meeke at the end of this SS20. “The conditions are ok, a little sandier than during the reconnaissance, but it's not so bad. »
07h
Teemu Suninen (M-Sport Ford) is also in the special. Greensmith is half a second slower in the first partial against Meeke.
07h
Gus Greensmith (M-Sport Ford) starts his day. The Briton, called at the last minute to replace Elfyn Evans, injured in his back in Estonia, had to open the road yesterday, and will be able to count on a slightly cleaner track with Kris Meeke in front of him.
07h
It's off to Kris Meeke (Toyota) in this SS20, Laukaa 1. The Gazoo Racing driver, forced to retire yesterday, has his sights set on the Power Stage points later in the day.
