Eric Camilli (Ford) is heading towards the best time of SS4 in WRC-2 in 41'25″4. The Frenchman from M-Sport is ahead of Pontus Tidemand (Skoda) by 17″6. Overall, Camilli has a 4″ lead over the Swede.

Kris Meeke (Citroën) performed well in this SS4 El Chocolate 2 by setting the best time of the special with a 7″ lead over Sébastien Ogier (Ford). This success on the longest stage of the event allows the Briton to take control of the race with a 3″9 lead over Ogier.

Third fastest in this first real timed section of the 2017 Rally Mexico, Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) is in third place in the general classification, 19″5 behind Meeke. The two other i20 WRCs from Sordo and Neuville follow, ranked 24″5 and 32″6 behind the leading Citroën C3. The gap is larger behind since Juho Hänninen (Toyota) is already 1'10" behind. The Finn precedes Ott Tänak (Ford) who lost big in this SS4 and Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën).

Several drivers reported technical problems, including overheating in the Ford clan and for Latvala or even the loss of power steering for Lefebvre in addition to a very high temperature central differential.

Kris Meeke took the opportunity to take provisional control of the event.

Juho Hänninen (Toyota) finished in 40'27″2, 1'11″6 behind Ogier, but it was the arrival of Kris Meeke (Citroën) which changed the ES classification. The Briton signs the best provisional time with his C3 in 39'15″6, 7″3 better than Sébastien Ogier.

The New Zealander sets the second provisional time, and finishes with a Hyundai i20 marked at the left-rear wheel arch. “We were in safety mode for the first half of the SS – we just had to manage. It's the first time here in these new cars and we have some things to learn. »

Very good time for Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) in 39'33″5, 10″6 behind Sébastien Ogier.

Note a damaged front bumper on Neuville's Hyundai i20, which indicates that it did not hit anything.  

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) sets the 3rd provisional time in 39'47″2, 24″3 behind Ogier. “I struggled a lot with the lack of power. » admits the Belgian.

Lefebvre reports losing power steering and center differential temperature issues.

After a good start to the special, Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën) finally lost 1'12″6 on Ogier's provisional best time on this SS4.

1'28″7 lost by Elfyn Evans (Ford) on this SS4 on Sébastien Ogier.

Kris Meeke (Citroën) remains the fastest in the third section, 12″1 better than the best time at this stage than Dani Sordo (Hyundai).  

Dani Sordo (Hyundai) is closest to Sébastien Ogier (Ford) over the 54,90 km of El Chocolate 2, conceding 12″8 on the reigning world champion. Like his rivals, the Spaniard was affected by problems with his i20 WRC. “We have a problem with the engine. No anti-lag at the end, we were in safe mode. »

Ott Tänak (Ford) finished 1'11"5 behind his M-Sport teammate Sébastien Ogier, and also reported problems with overheating, and was forced to ride in road mode.

Like Latvala, Ogier reports temperature concerns. “We had an engine alarm for most of the stage, overheating. » The Frenchman believes that the choice of soft tires could have been more appropriate.

“The engine heats up too much, and we had to run in road mode. » confesses Latvala, as an explanation for his disappointing time against Ogier. The Finn also reports brake problems.

Sébastien Ogier (Ford) arrives in turn and the Frenchman greatly improves Latvala's time in 39'22″9, or 1'25″3 better than the Toyota driver.

Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) finished in 40’48″2

Lorenzo Bertelli is reported arrested with his Ford Fiesta.

SS4: Bertelli – WRC+ live tracking shows the Italian's Fiesta stopped at 9km #WRC

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) March 10, 2017

49″ gap between Tänak and Ogier now in the 4th partial. The driver of the No. 2 Ford Fiesta lost big to his teammate in this SS4.