News and quotes SS3 (Granit und Wald 1)

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Oct 17
3 min read

Sébastien Ogier, who is currently leading the Central European Rally started the chase for the best time on Friday morning. Today is a special day for his co-driver Vincent Landais, who is celebrating his 34th birthday. However, there was no gift for him, as Hyundai set the fastest times on the increasingly grippy track: Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak and Adrien Formaux recorded the fastest times, meaning that three Hyundai cars are now within striking distance of the leading Toyota duo of Ogier and Rovanperä in the overall standings.

#8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST), Hyundai i20N Rally

‘That was a good run, we're heading in the right direction. The dirt surprised me in a few corners. But all in all, the track conditions were consistent.’

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

‘Of course, we had the best track conditions, there was just a little dust on the road. Maybe the track will be even faster once the dirt is gone. We got off to a good start yesterday. We'll see how valuable our lead is as the day progresses.’

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

Elfyn Evans received a minor time penalty on Thursday for touching the straw bales in a chicane, which of course is not helpful in his chase for the lead. "I couldn't believe it. In the past, drivers have even skipped chicanes and not been penalised. But we have to deal with it now. The special stage went okay, there were no special incidents.‘

News and quotes SS3 (Granite and Forest 1)

Sébastien Ogier, who is currently leading the race, started the chase for the best time on Friday morning. Today is a special day for his co-driver Vincent Landais, who is celebrating his 34th birthday. However, there was no gift for him, as Hyundai set the fastest times on the increasingly grippy track: Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak and Adrien Formaux recorded the fastest times, meaning that three Hyundai cars are now within striking distance of the leading Toyota duo of Ogier and Rovanperä in the overall standings.

#8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST), Hyundai i20N Rally

‘That was a good run, we're heading in the right direction. The dirt surprised me in a few corners. But all in all, the track conditions were consistent.’

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

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

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

’That was okay, but obviously too slow. But not too bad either. The conditions were fine."

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

‘A good start to the day – that's positive. The dirt is surprising in some places. We get so close to the anti-cuts that everyone throws dirt onto the track. You have to keep your eyes open. Otherwise, everything was good, just a little understeer.’

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

‘There was dirt in some places, which I hadn't expected here. On the other hand, there is no dust in some sections and the track is now being cleared by the cars.’

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

‘It wasn't so great. The track is dirty in some places and then I hesitate. That makes me lose time. I would have liked to have done better.’

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

‘That was a solid stage. I pushed hard. Dirt still gets on the track at the anti-cuts. I try to drive as cleanly as possible. The fifth stage will be difficult today as there will be a lot of mud on the track.’