Rally of Catalonia 2019
16h
The crews are now heading to the La Fatarella – Vilalba special stage, 38,85km long. Tänak is expected to start at 17:16 p.m.
16h
After Sébastien Ogier this morning, it was Esapekka Lappi who suffered mechanical problems on his Citroën at the Catalonia Rally. The Finn who was in 7th place had to stop in the special.
Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai) took the scratch in the 19km of Horta-Bot, beating his teammate Dani Sordo and Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) by 6 tenths. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) followed at a second. Kris Meeke (Toyota) followed almost 4 seconds behind, ahead of the Fords of Teemu Suninen and Elfyn Evans. Ott Tänak is 6 seconds ahead of Sébastien Ogier (Citroën).
The Hyundais now monopolize the provisional podium with Sébastien Loeb in 3rd place with 3 seconds ahead of Ott Tänak, while Dani Sordo keeps the lead ahead of Thierry Neuville for a 4s lead. Kris Meeke took the lead over Elfyn Evans by just over a second. Jari-Matti Latvala took advantage of Esapekka Lappi's problems to take 6th place ahead of Teemu Suninen.
16h
Katsuta ranked around ten seconds behind.
16h
Loeb takes a new scratch with a 6 tenths lead over his teammate Sordo and Latvala. The nine-time WRC champion climbs onto the provisional podium monopolized by the Hyundais with a 3s lead over Tänak. “It was much better than this morning. We had the grip we needed to attack. It's very good to see the Hyundais in the lead but it's only the start of the rally. »
16h
Sordo equalizes Latvala's performance by taking 4 tenths from Neuville. “I didn't feel too comfortable in this SS. » The Spaniard now has a 4″6 lead over his teammate in the general classification.
16h
Suninen takes the 4th time, 3″5 behind Latvala. The M-Sport driver finds himself more than 7s behind his compatriot in the general classification. “It's not too bad, I was able to increase my pace by no longer suffering with the rear. »
16h
What a catastrophic day for Citroën! After Ogier's power steering problems, it was Lappi who had to stop in SS5 following a mechanical problem. He was in 7th place ahead of Latvala and Suninen.
16h
Lappi stopped in the stage. The Finn came out with the fire extinguisher.
16h
Latvala takes the provisional scratch with 4 tenths ahead of Neuville. The Toyota driver is looking to get back on his compatriot Lappi. “We needed a change in the assistance and we are gaining confidence. »
16h
Evans set the 3rd time, 4″5 behind Neuville and almost 2 seconds behind Meeke. “I struggle with understeer. » The Welshman slips behind Meeke 1″5 behind.
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Meeke is the closest to Neuville with 2″7 behind. The Northern Irishman is only a second behind his teammate Tänak.
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Neuville takes 5s from Tänak and now has a dozen seconds ahead of the Estonian in the general classification. “We still need some slight adjustments to be able to push hard but the result is good. »
16h
Ogier ranks 2″5 behind Tänak. The Citroën driver can no longer hope to return to regular racing as his delay is so significant. “It’s a bit slippery… I don’t feel motivated at all anymore. »
16h
Tänak crossed the finish line in 10'07″5, 11 seconds better than Neuville's scratch this morning. “I attack very hard and I stay on the limit. » The Estonian is threatened by Loeb who could allow Hyundai to place its three WRCs in the lead.
16h
Ogier is almost 2s behind Tänak in the 2nd partial. The times should be further improved later.
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Ostberg had his time adjusted on SS3 after being hampered by Greensmith. The Citroën driver now leads WRC 2 Pro with more than 25 seconds ahead of Rovanperä at the end of SS4.
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Tänak sets off on the penultimate special stage of the day.
16h
The crews will soon set off in the 19km of Horta-Bot. Neuville was the fastest this morning with a time of 10'18″5. Tänak is expected to start from 16:06 p.m.
