Sebastien Ogier completed Rally Catalunya’s soaking wet Friday morning loop with the overall lead despite not topping any of the three stages.Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville led the way in the first run and held a narrow lead over the Frenchman before falling just behind him on the next stage.
The gap increased to 4.4s after the final run as the duo locked out first and second.
Jari-Matti Latvala was quickest in both the second and third stages of the loop but had to play catch up after losing over 10 seconds in yesterday’s short opener.
He made his way up to third with Dani Sordo and Andreas Mikkelsen completing the top five.
Hayden Paddon struggled with throttle issues but didn’t lose significant time as he was 17 seconds behind Ogier in sixth.
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Mads Ostberg had handbrake problems but still became the top Ford in seventh ahead of Citroen duo Craig Breen and Kris Meeke.
The latter rolled in SS2 but managed to continue regardless, only losing 70 seconds by the end of SS4.
“I rolled in a fourth-gear corner,” he said. “I was in the middle of the the corner and the car dug in and turned us over.”
“The heavy rain has filled the ruts and we’re aquaplaning everywhere. I came here to learn the stages but I’m not learning much today.”
Ott Tanak completed the top 10 despite having topped the Thursday stage as he had differential problems and also struggled with the conditions.
“The diff problem is still there but that’s not the issue for now. The road is full of water and I can’t go faster than third gear, even on the straights. No chance.”
Standings after SS4
Cla Driver/Codriver Car Gap
1 Sébastien Ogier
Julien Ingrassia Volkswagen Polo R WRC
2 Thierry Neuville
Nicolas Gilsoul Hyundai i20 WRC ’16 4.4s
3 Jari-Matti Latvala
Miikka Anttila Volkswagen Polo R WRC 5.7s
4 Daniel Sordo
Marc Marti Hyundai i20 WRC ’16 10.2s
5 Andreas Mikkelsen
Anders Jæger Volkswagen Polo R WRC 13.5s
6 Hayden Paddon
John Kennard Hyundai i20 WRC ’16 17.1s
7 Mads Ostberg
Fløene Ola Ford Fiesta RS WRC 40.4s
8 Craig Breen
Scott Martin Citroën DS3 WRC 1m06.9s
9 Kris Meeke
Paul Nagle Citroën DS3 WRC 1m10.6s
10 Ott Tanak
Raigo Molder Ford Fiesta RS WRC 1m32.0s
Story and photo:L Motorsport.com