After day two of the RallyRACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada, round twelve of the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship, it was Sebastien Ogier that again grabbed the headlines. The Frenchman won all but three of the day’s eight stages and extended his advantage to 54 seconds with one day to go.
“It’s been fun all day, I’m really happy. The car has been perfect. Okay, with the big gap I’ve been able to take it easy but when the road has been dirty but when it’s clean I still push.” said the WRC champion.
An early attack from Ogier over the first three stages meant the Volkswagen Motorsport driver could back off in the afternoon. Team-mate Jari Matti Latvala suffered brake issues early in the day and also damaged a wheel on stage 12 which means his chances of victory are slim, however the Finn is second and is still fighting for a podium place.
Andreas Mikkelsen had a good day fighting from sixth overnight to third by the service stop. He managed to snatch second from Latvala on stage 14 before the Finn fought back. He lies third overnight just 2.9 seconds off his team-mate.
Dani Sordo had another good day fighting in the top four and at the halfway point of the day he was second before dropping back in the afternoon, he holds fourth overnight. Kris Meeke has improved his pace on the tarmac stages and has now moved into fifth ahead of Citroen team-mate Mads Ostberg.
Thierry Neuville is another driver on the move and has moved into seventh in his Hyundai i20 WRC just over 12 seconds behind the Citroen duo. Hayden Paddon had to contend with a puncture on stage 15 and has exactly the same time as Neuville heading into the overnight halt. Martin Prokop and WRC2 leader and Pontus Tidemand round out the top ten.
M-Sport had a terrible day as Ott Tanak retired after hitting a barrier in his Ford Fiesta WRC RS, ripping a wheel off while Elfyn Evans nosed dived into a ditch and was also forced into retirement.
Sunday’s final leg features two identical loops of three asphalt tests covering 76.40km. The final live TV Duesaigües Power Stage offers bonus points for the fastest three drivers.
