Latvala dominates Germany shakedown

Following on from its third success in Finland at the beginning of August, Jari-Matti Latvala got his German weekend off to a good start. The Finn set the best time of the shakedown Rally from Germany in 2’21″4 and is two tenths ahead of his Volkswagen teammate Andreas Mikkelsen.

Kris Meeke (DS3 WRC) takes third place seven tenths behind Latvala's best time and precedes the reigning double world champion Sébastien Ogier. Robert Kubica hoists the first Ford Fiesta RS into fifth position ahead Ott Tänak.

New Zealander Hayden Paddon was the fastest of the clan Hyundai ahead of the Spaniard Dani Sordo. Mads Ostberg (DS3 WRC) and Elfyn Evans (Ford Fiesta RS) complete the top 10. Thierry Neuville, winner across the Rhine last year, follows in eleventh position just the Frenchman Stéphane Lefebvre, lined up this weekend in a DS3 WRC. Kevin Abbring slightly damaged his i20 in a crash.

The first special stage will begin tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., and will be followed like the entire Rally of Germany live on AUTOhebdo.fr.

Germany shakedown ranking:

1. Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen Polo R) – 2min 21.4sec
2. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen Polo R) – 2min 21.6sec
3. Kris Meeke (DS3 WRC) – 2min 22.1sec
4. Sébastien Ogier (Volkswagen Polo R) – 2min 22.2sec
5. Robert Kubica (Ford Fiesta RS) – 2min 23.0sec
6. Ott Tänak (Ford Fiesta RS) – 2min 23.4sec
7. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20) – 2min 23.6sec
8. Dani Sordo (Hyundai i20) – 2min 23.7sec
9. Mads Østberg (DS3 WRC) – 2min 23.8sec
10. Elfyn Evans (Ford Fiesta RS) – 2min 23.9sec