The next special, the second passage through Wadern-Weiskirchen, was due to start at 13:09 p.m., but the start will be postponed, logically around 13:15 p.m.

Bonato indicates that he was late for a time check, which cost him a 10″ penalty, due to engine problems, which have now been resolved.

Another superb performance for Yoann Bonato (Citroën DS3 R5) in 11'21″5, best time in WRC-2. The Frenchman moved up to third position in the category, 12″3 behind Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia R5), still leader with 4″1 over Pontus Tidemand (Skoda Fabia R5).

Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia R5) provisionally sets the best time in WRC-2 in 11'25"2, 0"2 ahead of Pontus Tidemand (Skoda Fabia R5) and 5" ahead of Teemu Suninen (Ford Fiesta R5).

Andreas Mikkelsen (Citroën) made the talk on SS4 of the Rally Germany. The Norwegian driver set the absolute best time in 10'50"3 (his first scratch of the year) and is ahead of Esapekka Lappi (Toyota) by 7"4 and Sébastien Ogier (Ford) by 7"8.

But above all, by preceding Ott Tänak (Ford) by 9″, the former Volkswagen driver took control of the race with a 4″8 margin over the Estonian driver and 8″8 over Sébastien Ogier. Elfyn Evans (Ford) is in fourth place at 13″2, ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) and Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), still forced to drive with a lot of understeer on his i20 after going off-track in the ES3 and the damage caused to his mount.

The Toyotas of Lappi and Hänninen follow in the standings ahead of Craig Breen (Citroën), victim of a collision with a wall, and Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), who conceded 50″ in this sector after a front-right puncture. But the main victim remains Dani Sordo (Hyundai), who went off the road at the very start of the sector.

“It wasn't really a perfect sector, with two small mistakes, so I'm not really happy,” commented Mikkelsen. I was not good at this ES before and I studied the onboard cameras and finally I succeeded. The car is incredible. »

Kris Meeke (Citroën) sets the seventh provisional time in 11'01″1.

“The tire choice was the right one for this ES. I'm really happy with this time. » comments Lappi, 21″4 behind leader Ott Tänak overall.

10'59″5 for Juho Hänninen (Toyota) 1″4 behind Sébastien Ogier's reference. “I didn’t go to the vineyards this time. » jokes the Finn.

It was a front-right puncture that slowed Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) in this special. “We didn’t touch anything. I noticed it 10 km from the finish. »

Front of Paddon's car damaged at the end off SS4 @HMSGOfficial @planetemarcus @OfficialWRC pic.twitter.com/2CnxyqOd1t

— JSFoto.eu (@JSFoto2008) August 18

It's Craig Breen's (Citroën) turn to arrive at the finish of the special. 11'13″1 for the Irishman, 15″ behind Sébastien Ogier. " Terrible. I hit a wall and thought I had a flat tire. I missed a braking point, went out and did a 360° in a field. I need to be calmer. »

Second time for Elfyn Evans (Ford) 1″1 behind Ogier. Despite everything, the Briton does not feel confident when braking.

Hyundai announces that Dani Sordo went off the road. The crew is ok, but the team will have to come and collect the damaged Hyundai i20.

‼️ UPDATE #Sordo: went off the road close to the start of SS4. Crew Okay. Team will recover the car. #WRC #ADACRally

— Hyundai Motorsport (@HMSGOfficial) August 18

Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) completes the special in 11'00″3. The Finn arrives with a Yaris slightly damaged at the left front tire. “I hit a curb or something. The start of the special was trickier than I thought. Apart from that, everything's fine. »

Ott Tänak (Ford) fails 1″2 behind Ogier on this SS4.

Sébastien Ogier (Ford) is ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) by 6″1. “The conditions are not so easy, but we have to attack. I'm not really happy with the car. I do the best I can with what I have. Somehow I can't get the setting perfect. I will handle it. It's just for today. »