Rally Sweden – SS8: Solberg sets the fastest time, Katsuta retains overall lead

The second day of Rally The Swedish Rally ended with Oliver Solberg setting the fastest time on the eighth stage, a short loop of just 5,70 km. A welcome result after an afternoon of nightmarish "For the day's opener. Despite this success, the leader of the World Rally Championship is in sixth place overall, 51 seconds behind the leader, Takamoto Katsuta. On Saturday, the Swede will start sixth, a position that should be more advantageous."

For his part, the Japanese driver maintained his lead in the overall standings thanks to a third-place finish in SS8. It feels good " he told AUTOhebdo present on site. Still seeking his first victory in WRCKatsuta now sees his dream getting closer.

Relegated to second place overall after SS7, Elfyn Evans pushed his tires too hard. Fifth in this lightning-fast stage, the Welshman nevertheless showed himself to be " relatively satisfied with [his] day ».

Firmly established on the provisional podium, Sami Pajari takes stock of this second day, notably marked by two top 2 finishes and a third place. The top 3 of the overall standings thus remains monopolized by Toyota, even if Hyundai manages to place two cars in the fourth and fifth rows.

Adrien fourmaux He continues his climb back up the order, gradually making up lost time and putting pressure on his teammate Esapekka Lappi for fourth place. Winner of SS7, Thierry Neuville He finished second in SS8. The Belgian, however, remains seventh in the overall standings.

At M-SportThe second day was marked by a series of setbacks. The final stage was no exception to the bad luck: Jon Armstrong had to contend with a breakdown following a puncture on SS2, then a radio problem on SS5. As a reminder, the British team scored no points at the Monte Carlo Rally, which ended with the retirement of all three cars entered.

Interview conducted by Pierre Barré, in Sweden.

ALSO READ > Swedish Rally: Why did all the Fords get punctures this morning?

WRC – Rally Sweden

The classification of SS8:

The general classification after SS8: