Australia: Ostberg in the lead, Neuville and Ogier behind

It is a Citroën which is at the head of the Rally from Australia midway through the first stage. Mads Ostberg took the lead after setting an impressive time in SS3, justice of the day with more than 26km timed. The Norwegian is more than 5 seconds ahead of the Toyota Esapekka Lappi and Jari-Matti Latvala who complete the provisional podium.

The C3 WRC seem comfortable on this surface since Craig Breen is only a second behind the top three, ahead of Hayden Paddon by a few tenths (Hyundai). Ott Tänak (Toyota) completes the Top 6 despite a big scare in the last SS of the morning where the Estonian almost rolled over while passing through a ditch which caused him a puncture with no major consequences in the standings.

BIG moment for @OttTanak in SS3 SHERWOOD 1 @RallyAustralia now live on https://t.co/twccZ0hRvh #WRC #WRClive #ChampionshipBattle pic.twitter.com/Mb5XsW7jeb

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) November 15, 2018

Teemu Suninen (M-Sport) marks the break in the peloton by finishing in 7th place ahead of his teammate Elfyn Evans, almost 6 seconds behind the 3rd Toyota driver.

Behind the Welshman's Fiesta WRC, the title contenders are in difficulty after having to sweep while rain was expected. All the crews also started with 5 medium tires. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) is 9th, 4”4 behind Elfyn Evans, leading by more than 8 seconds Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport).

Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) was in 9th place before going off the road in SS3, perhaps disturbed by the presence of a tractor just after a chicane. The Norwegian gave up.

Meanwhile in Australia pic.twitter.com/TOaEYsBC4E

— Valmar Viisel (@paddocknews) November 15, 2018

The crews will compete in the second passage of the stage from 2:32 a.m. Paris time. The day can be followed live with our live text.