New Zealand – SS5: Great Sébastien Ogier!
Sebastien Auger He threw a finesse lesson at the wheel to win the 5th special and gain 4 places to take the lead at the gathering from New Zealand.
The second loop of the day started with a new lane at the Wanga Coast on a much drier road that was cleared up by the first lane of cars. The preconditions are more favorable to championship leader Kalle Rovanperä who once again had an opening role ahead of his runner-up Ott Tanak.
From the early intermediates, it was clear that the championship leader was back as Rovanperä completed the special in 19’57″4, nearly 20 seconds faster than his first run of the morning. But if Rovanperä and Tänak and Brain Set the same time during SS3, Tank is back again in the Rovanpera tag!!! An unprecedented situation that shows the amazing level of performance of the two heroes.
Finally got rid of his grip problems from the start of the day, Thierry Neuville He came back in the match and took the best for 1 0, but Elfyn Evans put everyone in agreement at 19’48″6. Only Craig Breen and Sébastien Ogier seemed able to beat that mark but Breen got out of the way at “McRae’s Corner”. If the car didn’t look damaged, it was stuck in a ditch and the Irishman had to go down.
Meanwhile, Sebastien Ogier kept all four wheels of his Yaris strong and went all the way to the end of the stage to sign his 462nd career scratch!
ES5 rating:
Overall ranking after SS5:
“Reader. Travel maven. Student. Passionate tv junkie. Internet ninja. Twitter advocate. Web nerd. Bacon buff.”