News and Quotes SS13

Sébastien Ogier is the man of the moment in the Toyota on Saturday's afternoon loop. The Toyota driver set the second fastest time in a row on SS13. On the 27.15-kilometer "royal stage" Mühltal 2, he left Ford ace Ott Tänak just 0.1 seconds behind. Overall leader Thierry Neuville in the Hyundai was 3.5 seconds behind the Frenchman. Grégoire Munster was 0.7 seconds quicker than his M-Sport teammate Pierre-Louis Loubet in the battle for seventh place, while Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta made up 1.9 seconds on Teemu Suninen in the battle for fifth. Kalle Rovanperä retained second place overall in sixth fastest with a still comfortable 1:19.2-minute lead over Tänak.

#3 Pierre-Louis Loubet (FRA) / Benjamin Veilas (FRA), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

“The road is very, very tricky this afternoon. The time is 20 seconds slower than this morning – it’s not a surprise. It was maybe one of the most difficult stage of the weekend.”

#3 Teemu Suninen (FIN) / Mikko Markkula (FIN), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

““It’s managing tyres, finding the grip. It’s quite damp in places so it’s quite slippy but on the other hand you can push quite a lot.”

#17 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“It’s more enjoyable with the conditions this afternoon. It’s been fun to drive now. So at least we enjoy the afternoon so far.”

#8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

“I had okay feeling, I tried a bit more but quite okay still.”

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

“It’s a bit more difficult, the conditions are tricky. Usually it’s easier when you have the proper pace and the right rhythm. In some sections you try to enjoy and be fast… anyway, I think we are doing okay. What was the time? I don’t care!”

#11 Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

“It’s very hard to say with which rhythm to go. I had a clean stage, obviously the rain tyre on the rear is still moving a bit. We had a clean stage if the rain comes on the next one then we are on the safe side with three wets so let’s see. It’s going to be dirty in there, that’s for sure.”