Hard-pushing Latvala keen to remake time with SS10 win

The final stage of the first full day of rallying in Rally Sardegna 2015 is SS10, the repeat of this morning’s 18km Montiferru stage (SS4). As with many of the Sardinian stages, it presents a challenging number of surface changes and treacherous rocky parts – combined with the encroaching darkness, it presents a big challenge to the crews.

Having suffered with a puncture in SS9, Jari-Matti Latvala was bound to be fighting hard, and he didn’t disappoint. He took the stage win, closing in on second placed overall Sebastien Ogier, who was also second in stage, 1.2 seconds down on Jarri-Matti. ‘Except for the mistake I’ve been happy with my day.’ he added.

Hayden Paddon, piloted his Hyundai to third place in the stage, losing 12.4 seconds to Ogier but holding the all-important rally lead by 8.8 seconds overnight. ‘We were a little lucky’ he explained, referring to this final stage. ‘We had a problem with the left rear tyre or the suspension and on every left-hand corner we went wide and sideways. At one point we hit a bank and from then we backed off – and we lost a lot of time.’

Mads Ostberg was fifth fastest, just eight tenths of a second down on Paddon but 3.3 seconds ahead of Ott Tanak who placed fifth. Thierry Neuville, with his damaged Hyundai, was sixth quickest. ‘I drove in normal road mode.’ he explained. ‘I’m happy with the changes I made to get us to the end . The turbo pipe went – like it did in Argentina last year – but this time I managed to keep us going.’

Neuville’s Hyundai team mate Dani Sordo was not so lucky, tearing a rear wheel and hub from his car. Though he made it to the end of the stage, he won’t be able to make it to service. ‘We hit something in the side of a very slow corner and it took the wheel off. Really bad luck.’ the disappointed Spaniard commented.

With Latvala showing excellent pace against the talent of Hayden Paddon and the consistency of Sebastien Ogier, tomorrow will be an interesting day. It begins at 07:35 local time with SS11, the short 1.4km stage of Circuito De Mores. Keep an eye on iRally for a full day’s round up shortly.