OGIER ON TRACK FOR VICTORY; THREE-WAY FIGHT FOR SECOND AS MEEKE GOES OFF
Without ever needing to drive flat out, the FIA World Rally Championship leader ended Saturday's penultimate day with a 44.5sec advantage after six speed tests in the northernmost tip of the Mediterranean island.
In contrast to Friday when the world champion won three of the four speed tests in his Ford Fiesta, he drew a blank today, preferring a measured pace which still proved sufficient to leave him with a comfortable lead ahead of Sunday’s finale.
“Anything can always happen but I don’t take the extra risk and I feel like I’m still in control. I feel comfortable, but if someone says they are 100% in control they’re lying. We must stay focused,” he said after 136.90km of narrow, twisty asphalt and untraditional faster sections.
A fierce fight for second involving four drivers ended with Ott Tänak snatching position by a tenth of a second from Thierry Neuville in the final Novella test, as Kris Meeke crashed his Citroën C3 into retirement after mishearing a pace note.
Neuville and Meeke started the 17.39km stage tied in second. Handling issues blighted Neuville all afternoon after set-up changes had an adverse effect on his Hyundai i20, and Estonian Tänak capitalised to leap from fourth to second in the final kilometres.
The disappointment was acute for Meeke, the third year in succession that the Ulsterman has retired on this stage.
Just 10.3sec further behind in fourth was Esapekka Lappi. The Finn produced the drive of the day in his Toyota Yaris after suspension and differential changes transformed his confidence. He won two stages to reel in those ahead and has a podium in his sights.
Dani Sordo and Elfyn Evans were evenly matched all day. Sordo ended fifth in his i20, with a 3.1sec advantage over the Welshman who lost time after stalling his Fiesta’s engine and being too hesitant on the tricky mountain roads.
Sébastien Loeb, returning after yesterday’s crash, won three stages in his C3.
Sunday’s finale comprises just two stages, but brings a sting in the tail. The opening 55.17km test from Vero to Sarrola-Carcopino is the longest in the rally since 1986. It is followed by the live TV Power Stage, with bonus points for the fastest five drivers.
Tour de Corse – Unofficial classification after Section 6
1 Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 2hr 43min 07.7sec
2 Ott Tanak / Martin Jarveoj Toyota Yaris WR 2hr 43min 52.2sec
3 Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 2hr 43min 52.3sec
4 Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 2hr 44min 02.6sec
5 Dani Sordo / Carlos del Barrio Hyundai i20 Couple WRC 2hr 44min 54.4sec
6 Elfyn Evans / Phil Mills Ford Fiesta WRC 2hr 44min 57.5sec
7 Andreas Mikkelsen / Anders Jæger Hyundai i20 WRC 2hr 45min 21.2sec
8 Jan Kopecky / Pavel Dresler Skoda Fabia R5 2hr 51min 30.6sec
9 Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle Citroen C3 WRC 2hr 53min 49.1sec
10 Fabio Andolfi /Simone Scattolin Skoda Fabia R5 2hr 54min 34.9sec
