SS7 | AutoHebdo

18h

While occupying 4th place at the Rally Germany, Dani Sordo (Hyundai) lost almost a minute when he encountered gearbox problems on the short 9,27km Wadern-Weiskirchen passage which concluded the first stage.

It was Ott Tänak (Toyota) who was once again the fastest with a time of 5’05”3, ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) by 2 tenths. Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) and Esapekka Lappi (Citroën) followed by more than 2 seconds, while Sébastien Ogier (Citroën), Gus Greensmith (M-Sport) and the Yaris WRC of Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke failed to reach more than 4 seconds. of XNUMX seconds.

Ott Tänak returns to service with a 2”8 lead over Thierry Neuville while Sébastien Ogier retains his 3rd place for a little over 3 seconds ahead of Kris Meeke. Jari-Matti Latvala completes the Top 5 ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen, Esapekka Lappi and Gus Greensmith. Dani Sordo fell to 9th place while Kalle Rovanperä (Skoda), leader of WRC 2 Pro, completes the Top 10 ahead of Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota).

18h

Katsuta finished less than 7s behind Tänak's scratch. The Japanese is 3 minutes from the lead of the race.

18h

Greensmith sets the 6th time, just over 4 seconds behind Tänak. The M-Sport driver went wide in a corner but was able to continue. The Briton recovers 8th place with more than 8 seconds ahead of Sordo. “Our pace improved in the second pass. »

18h

Sordo will have lost almost a minute following his mechanical problems and should fall to at least 8th place. “At least the first gear works so there are no worries,” the Spaniard comments with frustration.

18h

Sorod was just off the provisional podium ahead of the Toyotas of Meeke and Latvala.

18h

Latvala failed more than 4 seconds from the benchmark after making a slight error on the course. The Finn remains more than 2s behind his teammate Meeke in the general classification. “I made a stupid mistake by attacking too hard. We take more risks because we have more space, but I have to think about the constructors' championship. »

18h

Lappi signs the 4th fastest time at 2″4, ranking 2 tenths behind Mikkelsen. The Citroën driver remains 8th. “This style of special is quite simple and there are no big gaps to make. We are too far away now. »

18h

Meeke is behind in this SS, almost 5 seconds behind his teammate Tänak. The Northern Irishman is 3″5 behind Ogier overall. “The gap is small if you see all the stages still to be done. »

18h

Mikkelsen ranks 2″2 behind the provisional benchmark and maintains his 7th place this evening. “I would like to be in the fight at the forefront but we continue to work. »

18h

Neuville misses the provisional scratch by 2 tenths. The Belgian ends the day 2″8 behind Tänak. “It will be a long stage tomorrow and the fight remains on. We will not take unnecessary risks knowing that anything can happen in Panzerplatte. »

18h

Ogier is still losing ground, 4″2 behind Tänak on this short course. The Citroën driver is 22 seconds off the lead in the race. “I went out into a field and lost a lot of time. I try to do my best but I don't think that will change tomorrow because the courses will be similar. »

18h

Tänak sets the first time in 5’05”3, less than 2 seconds from his scratch achieved during the first pass. “You can never be in a comfortable situation. We have a small lead but tomorrow's stage will be the most important as it is the longest. »

18h

Ogier is 3 tenths behind Tänak in the first partial.

18h