In WRC-2, Jan Kopecky (Skoda) is once again the fastest on this fourth special stage of the Rally Germany. The Czech driver is ahead of Esapekka Lappi (Skoda) by 4″6 and Armin Kremer (Skoda) by 6″7. The latter retains the lead of the event in the category ahead of Esapekka Lappi, since José Antonio Suarez (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) lost big in a puncture.

Ghislain de Mevius (Skoda) and Pierre-Louis Loubet (DS3 R5) thus gain a place in the general classification.

Tänak (Ford Fiesta RS) and Lefebvre (DS3) no longer let go of each other for the gain of 5th place overall. The Frenchman is ahead of the Estonian by 1″3 in the fourth timed sector of the day and is thus 7″9 behind his rival in the general classification.  

After the leaders have passed, Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) remains leader of the event with a 2″9 lead over Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and 4″7 over Sébastien Ogier (Volkswagen), author of the best time in SS4. Second fastest in the special, Dani Sordo (Hyundai) remains on pace with the leading trio, and is 11″3 behind the leader.

Mads Ostberg also crossed the line before Dani Sordo, completing this special in 14'41″1.

Dani Sordo (Hyundai) sets the second provisional time in 14'19″0, 1″7 behind Ogier.

Thierry Neuville finished in 14'21″7, and failed 4″4 behind Ogier. The Belgian believes he could have done better. “In a very tight hairpin, I cut too much and the car spun. I had to go back and lost 5″. »

14'35″5 for Hayden Paddon at 18″2 from Sébastien Ogier. “It’s the best SS we’ve done. We learn the hard way. »

“I did a good stage, but I have to be patient with the settings. If I attack too much, I struggle with understeer. » comments Mikkelsen. The rally leader must wait for Thierry Neuville's time to know if he remains in control of the race.

Mikkelsen finishes but the Norwegian lost time at the end of the course after being within his teammate's time in the first two sections. 14'24″0 for Mikkelsen on this SS, 6″7 behind Ogier. The Frenchman is 4″7 behind his teammate overall.

Arrival of Sébastien Ogier at the stopping point of this SS4. 14'17″3 for the French driver. “I am happy with my driving, I progressed without making any mistakes. I tried to attack as best I could, but it seems like the others are a little faster at the moment. »

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) is currently faster than Ogier, Mikkelsen and Paddon in the first part of SS4. The Belgian clocked a time of 3'23″3, two seconds faster than Ogier.