Rally Italy-Sardinia 2018
12h
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) launched the response in SS5 of the Sardinia Rally by signing the scratch with a time of 8'12''8 at the end of 11,46km, taking more than four seconds from his teammate Andreas Mikkelsen and more by six seconds to Ott Tänak (Toyota). Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport) was the closest, three seconds behind. Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) finished five seconds behind. Teemu Suninen (M-Sport) and Mads Ostberg (Citroën) lost more than seven seconds to the Belgian. Esapekka Lappi (Toyota), Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) and Craig Breen (Citroën) are more than ten seconds behind.
Andreas Mikkelsen maintains a lead of 14 seconds over Thierry Neuville who took second place from Ott Tänak for a 2s lead. Teemu Suninen remains fourth for a tenth ahead of Sébastien Ogier. Jari-Matti Latvala moved up to sixth place with just over two seconds ahead of Mads Ostberg. Hayden Paddon is in eighth place ahead of Craig Breen and Esapekka Lappi.
12h
Paddon only sets the 9th time, more than 10 seconds behind Neuville. The Hyundai driver remains 8th with more than 2 seconds ahead of Breen.
12h
Ostberg finished with the 7th time, almost 8s from the provisional scratch. The Citroën driver slips to 7th place, 2″6 behind Latvala. “If we compare the times with those next to me, it’s not so bad. We lost time by making a bad tire choice in the previous SS. »
12h
Suninen took the 6th time, 7″3 behind Neuville. The M-Sport driver remains 4th, 6″5 behind Tänak. “It was a good morning. The last SS was still quite muddy. We will see how to improve my driving. »
12h
Breen sets the 7th fastest time, 11 seconds behind Neuville. The Citroën driver remains a little more than 2 seconds ahead of Lappi overall.
12h
Latvala takes 4th time, 5″1 behind Neuville. The Toyota driver is now 3s behind Ogier overall. “I am gaining confidence even if the conditions remain tricky with the mud. We have no advantage with road position. »
12h
Evans is the slowest with more than 12 seconds behind the provisional reference. The M-Sport driver has nothing left to play for on a regular basis after breaking his steering in SS2.
12h
Mikkelsen drops 4″2 to his teammate Neuville, being closest to the Belgian. The leader has a 14s lead over his teammate overall. “It was very muddy at the start and I think I lost some time, but the stage was very good. I'll try to keep up the pace this afternoon. »
12h
Lappi finished more than 10 seconds from the provisional reference. The Toyota driver is more than 18 seconds behind Ogier overall. " It is not easy. We should be able to optimize the car, but I don't know why I'm having trouble. It might be a good option to take two spare wheels this afternoon. »
12h
Tänak is the slowest with 6″4 behind Neuville. The Estonian leaves 2nd place to the Belgian, 2″4 behind. “I'm not very satisfied” admits the Estonian who is struggling with his differential.
11h
Ogier finished 3s behind Neuville. The M-Sport driver is 9s behind the Belgian overall. “I try my best. It was the right choice to take soft tires. »
11h
Neuville completes the special with a time of 8'12″8. “We wouldn't even have been in the top 8 without the rain. We have to wait. » The Hyundai driver is on the provisional podium.
11h
The crews compete against each other, passing around the Olmedo mine on roads similar to those encountered during the shakedown.
11h
Neuville sets off on the last SS of the first pass.
11h
The crews are now preparing to compete in the 11,46km Monte Baranta special. Neuville should start at 11:48 a.m.
