News and quotes SS 17 (Beyond Borders 2)

Second run on the ‘Beyond Borders’ special stage – and this time everything went according to plan and without interruption. Once again, Sébastien Ogier was unbeatable. He finished 4.6 seconds ahead of Rovanperä and 4.7 seconds ahead of Evans in third place: It looks like it could be a Super Sunday for the Frenchman, while Rovanperä now has a comfortable lead of 42.9 seconds in the overall standings. Ott Tänak reported a moment of realisation when he went off the road at the same spot where Neuville had also skidded off. As a result, Elfyn Evans is now dangerously close behind him: before the final power stage, he is only 1.1 seconds behind the Estonian. There could be a dramatic decision in the battle for second place!

#17 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally

’Similar to earlier. Nothing special happened. In the previous stage, new tyres were definitely an advantage. In this stage, we definitely have a slight advantage because we've already driven them at race speed.‘

#33 Elfyn Evans (GBR) / Scott Martin (GBR), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

’Sébastien's experience is definitely an advantage. My run wasn't perfect, but with experience I could have avoided some mistakes. I didn't get some sections right.‘

#69 Kalle Rovanperä (FIN) / Jonne Halttunen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

’The track was dirtier than I expected. I had no chance of catching up with Seb. He knew the track and the important sections. It's important that we have the same pace as Ott.‘

#8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST), Hyundai i20 N Rally1

‘I went off in the same place as Thierry – at the bridge. I was able to salvage it a little, but I did go off.’

#18 Takamoto Katsuta (JPN) / Aaron Johnston (IRL), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

‘I still don't feel good. I don't understand why it's so different from yesterday. I'm trying to figure it out. I'm doing my best.’

#16 Adrien Fourmaux (FRA) / Alexandre Coria (FRA), Hyundai i20 N Rally1

‘I made a mistake, braked too late and ended up in a garden.’

#5 Sami Pajari (FIN) / Marko Salminen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

‘The last part of the stage is super narrow through the woods. You get the feeling that only the car can fit through. I would have preferred the experience of another pass to the tyre wear. The stage is so short that it doesn't have much effect on the tyres.’

#13 Grégoire Munster (LUX) / Louis Louka (BEL), Ford Puma Rally1

‘I was better than on the first run. I was faster on the dust. I sometimes overdid it when braking. You have to be careful on gravel. You have zero grip there and have to be careful with the accelerator, otherwise you won't get anywhere.’