Rally of Catalonia 2019
09h
Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) started the 2nd stage of the Catalonia Rally by taking the scratch in the 14km from Savalla. The Belgian was ahead of Kris Meeke (Toyota) by 8 tenths while Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) followed more than 6 seconds behind. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) followed almost 2 seconds ahead of Ott Tänak (Toyota).
Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai) failed by almost 5 seconds. Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) and Dani Sordo (Hyundai) finished more than 6 seconds ahead of Teemu Suninen (M-Sport).
Thierry Neuville regained the lead of the Rally de Catalunya with a 3”2 lead over Sébastien Loeb. Kris Meeke took over Dani Sordo for half a second. Ott Tänak remains 5th ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala and the Fords of Elfyn Evans and Teemu Suninen.
Esapekka Lappi (Citroën) did not return to the road this morning, the Finn having suffered engine failure the day before.
09h
Lappi did not start the 2nd stage. Its engine failure led to a definitive abandonment.
09h
Katsuta was finally able to start after several tens of minutes of delay.
09h
Loeb failed almost 5 seconds behind Neuville by only setting the 6th fastest time. Neuville takes the lead again with a 3″2 lead over the Frenchman. “We struggled on some difficult passages. We were in a bit of trouble but we preferred to play it safe. »
09h
Neuville takes the provisional scratch with 6 tenths ahead of Meeke. The Belgian effectively protects his 2nd place and can hope to regain the lead against his teammate Loeb. “I had a good feeling behind the wheel. »
09h
Sordo failed almost 6s behind Meeke and was caught by the Toyota driver by half a second. “I felt good behind the wheel, but the lap time is not good. »
09h
Meeke improves the provisional scratch with almost 2 seconds ahead of Ogier. The Northern Irishman is the closest to the Hyundais.
09h
Evans lost oil on the road. The Welshman could encounter mechanical problems.
09h
Tänak ensures by setting the 3rd time, 2 seconds behind Ogier. The Toyota driver is in 5th place.
09h
Latvala remains slightly behind, finishing almost 4 seconds behind Ogier. The 6th-ranked Toyota driver remains more than 11s ahead of Evans in the general classification. “I didn’t ride well. I didn't feel confident. There is still work to be done on the brake adjustments. »
09h
Evans ranks 1″4 behind Ogier, taking more than 3s from Suninen. “I struggled to find the right pace, I hope to be faster later. » The Finn is pushed back more than 11 seconds from 7th position.
09h
Suninen ranks almost 5s behind Ogier. The M-Sport driver is 8th behind his teammate Evans.
09h
Katsuta doesn't look like he's about to start. His Toyota is always stopped before departure.
09h
Ogier sets a time of 7’28”4. The Citroën driver still has a way to go, occupying 17th place. “There’s not too much grip, but we try to take advantage of it as best we can. »
09h
Katsuta has a problem. The Toyota driver is stopped even though he has not yet started the special. The Japanese occupied 9th place.
09h
All WRC crews started with 5 hard tires.
09h
The weather is good again with clear skies and mild temperatures.
08h
Ogier set off in the first SS of the day, with the 14,08km from Savallà.
08h
The WRCs have been modified and are now adapted to asphalt, the base surface for the last two stages after a first day on gravel.
08h
Ogier will open the road ahead of Katusta, Suninen, Evans, Latvala, Tänak, Meeke, Sordo, Neuville and Loeb.
