Despite missing out on the stage win three times today, Sebastien Ogier has extended his Rallye Deutschland lead to 33.8 seconds over Jari-Matti Latvala after Saturday’s action.
The main key in Ogier’s massive lead was during the second running of the challenging Panzerplatte Long, when he completed the stage 15.3 seconds quicker than his team-mate.
With four stages remaining tomorrow morning, Latvala will have a mammoth task on his hands to remove Ogier’s lead.
The third Volkswagen of Andreas Mikkelsen is still in third, but 1:47.5 down on the leader. Behind him are the two Hyundais of Dani Sordo and Thierry Neuville. The Spaniard had a difficult few stages when a gearbox problem made for a slow shift from second to first.
Last year’s winner Thierry Neuville had an inconsistent day, but did manage to finish second at Arena Panzerplatte.
Elfyn Evans took advantage of his team-mate Ott Tanak losing time, to move up to sixth. Tanak went off course at the day’s penultimate stage and thereafter had a faulty starter motor, causing him to drop down to eighth.
Between the two M-Sport cars is Mads Ostberg, the highest-placed Citroen. Team-mate Kris Meeke is up to 14th following an off yesterday.
The final day’s action starts Sunday morning at 07:07 local (06:07 UK) with Stein & Wein 1.
