Overall in WRC-2, Armin Kremer (Skoda) remains leader by increasing his lead over the Peugeot 208 T16 R5 of José Antonio Suarez to 26″2. Esapekka Lappi (Skoda) completes the top three, 3″4 behind Suarez. De Mevius (Skoda) and Loubet (DS3 R5) complete the top 5 in the category.

Damage for @HaydenPaddon in SS3. He said it was the biggest moment that he's ever had without crashing. #WRC pic.twitter.com/TneiV8Wr3G

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) August 19

In WRC-2, Jan Kopecky provisionally sets the best time in the category on this SS3. The Skoda driver is ahead of the two other Fabia R5s by 4″6 Armin Kremer and 5″9 Esapekka Lappi. Yoann Bonato (DS3 R5) suffered a puncture and lost more than two minutes on Kopecky's time.

SS3 in 13'16''0 I pulled straight twice, we lost 2 seconds. I will try to do better in the next one  #RallyDeutschland

— Stéphane Lefebvre (@SLefebvreRallye) August 19

Overall, Mikkelsen increases his lead over Neuville to 5″2 and to 11″4 over Sébastien Ogier. Dani Sordo hangs on in fourth position at a little over 16″, but behind the Spaniard, the gaps are already significant since Ott Tänak is at 40″4. Stéphane Lefebvre is at 49″6, while Mads Ostberg is more than a minute behind.

By setting the best time on SS3 of the German Rally, Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) consolidates his position as leader of the event. The Norwegian was ahead of the Hyundai i2 of Thierry Neuville by 5″20 and the second Polo R of Sébastien Ogier by 4″6. The top 5 of the ES is completed by Dani Sordo (Hyundai) and Ott Tänak (Ford Fiesta). Less success for Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) who had a big scare in this sector and conceded more than 26″ by placing himself in last position in the WRC behind Lefebvre (DS3) and Ostberg (Ford Fiesta RS).

Stéphane Lefebvre (DS3) takes provisional sixth place after having completed two straights in this sector.

Dani Sordo (Hyundai) reached the finish in 13'03″6. The Spaniard, provisional fourth, believes that the grip is better than this morning. Ott Tänak (Ford Fiesta RS) follows Sordo in the SS standings, losing 9″8 to the Hyundai.

Special without major problems for Mads Ostberg, but the driver of the Ford Fiesta RS of Team M-Sport loses 22”3 to Mikkelsen.

Excellent performance from Thierry Neuville who sets the second provisional time behind Mikkelsen in 13'00″1. “I changed the settings and it took some getting used to, but it works great. However, I lost time at the start of the ES. » admits the Belgian.

Hayden Paddon finished with a Hyundai i20 damaged to the front left, and with a damaged rear bumper. 13'28″8 for the New Zealander who concedes 26″2 on Mikkelsen.

As expected by Ogier, Mikkelsen was 4″6 faster. “Not bad for a Norwegian!” I was too cautious towards the end, but overall I'm satisfied. I'm a little less on the limit, I'm really happy. »

13'02″2 for Sébastien Ogier at the finish of this SS3. “It's not such a bad stage for me, but Mikkelsen must have driven very well. The car is good, but I must be lacking a little speed. We have to find her. »

5″3 ahead for Mikkelsen over Ogier in the third partial.

Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) drops more than ten seconds in the second partial. The New Zealander would operate without a rear bumper according to the WRC TV teams.

This second loop could prove more tricky than this morning, after the first morning passages, which logically brought mud onto the course.

3'23″6 for Ogier in the first part, but Mikkelsen was a second faster than the World Champion on the first part of the course of this SS3. The Norwegian is the leader of the event before the afternoon specials.

SS3 of Mittelmosel 2 has started.

All drivers equipped with Michelin tires will start this second loop with four hard H5 tires and one soft S5 tire. Stéphane Lefebvre will start with his DS3 with five hard tires.