Sardinia: Tänak in the lead after Paddon’s abandonment

Ott Tänak (Ford) has become the new leader of the Rally from Sardinia. The pilot M-Sport took advantage of the retirement of Hayden Paddon who retired at the end of SS13 after breaking a transmission shaft when hitting an embankment.

The Estonian has a 24s lead over Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) at the end of the second stage, but this gap could be reduced. Toyota Gazoo Racing lodged a complaint with the stewards after the Finn was slowed by dust kicked up by Mads Ostberg (Ford) when the Norwegian suffered a puncture on SS12.

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) got back on the provisional podium and has more than a minute ahead of his opponents. Esapekka Lappi (Toyota) took 4th place with half a minute ahead of his teammate Juho Hänninen who lost almost a minute in the last special of the day following steering problems.

Sébastien Ogier (Ford) is in 6th place with a lead of almost 30 seconds over Mads Ostberg (Ford). Andreas Mikkelsen (Citroën) completes the top eight, almost 4 minutes behind his compatriot.

Jan Kopecky (Skoda) remains at the head of the WRC 2 with a 9 tenths lead over Éric Camilli (Ford Fiesta R5) who is not registered in the category.

The final stage of the Sardinia Rally will be contested this Sunday June 11 from 8:33 a.m.