Monthly Archives: March 2019

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FIA World Rally Championship / Corsica linea – Tour de Corse / Thierry Neuville springs to surprise lead at Tour de Corse

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Courtesy of WRC Media Service

Thierry Neuville (BEL) Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL) of team Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT is seen racing on day 2 during the World Rally Championship France in Bastia, France on March 30, 2019 – Photographer Credit: Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool

The Belgian snatched lead after dramatic finale to the longest day of the season.

Neuville heads into Sunday’s closing leg with a 4.5sec advantage after charging ahead of leader Elfyn Evans in the marathon 47km Castagniccia speed test which ended the day.

Evans started the test with an 11.5sec advantage in his Ford Fiesta after his frantic tussle for the lead with Ott Tänak ended in the previous special stage. The Toyota Yaris driver conceded two minutes after stopping to change a punctured tyre.

Elfyn Evans (GBR) Scott Martin (GBR) of team M-Sport Ford WRT is seen racing on day 2 during the World Rally Championship France in Bastia, France on March 30, 2019

Evans’ advantage appeared healthy, but an increasingly confident Neuville outgunned him by 16.0sec in his Hyundai i20 to set up a thrilling final day shootout.

“This morning we couldn’t find a good feeling to push as hard as we wanted. This afternoon we raised the height of the car and I was able to attack in every stage,” explained Neuville.

“I knew I had to keep the car on the road, but when the feeling is good you drive as fast as you can without taking big risks.”

Evans was shell-shocked. “The afternoon started well but went downhill. It was a surprise to lose so much in the last stage. Three or four seconds maybe, but 16sec is a mountain. It was a shock but the best thing to do is forget about it and concentrate on tomorrow,” he said.

The Welshman, who led after yesterday’s opening leg, was demoted by Tänak in this morning’s final test but the margin between them was only 1.6sec when disaster struck the Estonian.

Sebastien Ogier (FRA) Julien Ingrassia (FRA) of team Citroen Total WRT is seen racing on day 2 during the World Rally Championship France in Bastia, France on March 29, 2019

Sébastien Ogier was 40.8sec adrift of Evans in third after a persistent drive. A raft of overnight changes improved his Citroën C3’s handling. He still lacked pace but climbed from sixth this morning to overhaul Dani Sordo in Castagniccia for a podium place.

Sordo ended 5.1sec adrift but with a comfortable 42.2sec lead over Teemu Suninen in fifth. The Finn was plagued by several small issues in his Fiesta this morning but closed the day with a 22.4sec margin over a disappointed Tänak.

Drivers face just two stages covering 51.19km, culminating with the Wolf Power Stage in which bonus points will be awarded to the fastest five drivers.

Leading positions after leg 2

1. T Neuville / N Gilsoul BEL Hyundai i20 2hr 56min 50.0sec

2. E Evans / S Martin GBR Ford Fiesta +4.5sec

3. S Ogier / J Ingrassia FRA Citroën C3 +44.8sec

4. D Sordo / C del Barrio ESP Hyundai i20 +49.9sec

5. T Suninen / M Salminen FIN Ford Fiesta +1min 32.1sec

6. O Tänak / M Järveoja EST Toyota Yaris +1min 54.5sec


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Sebastien Loeb (FRA) Daniel Elena (MCO) of team Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT is seen racing on day 2 during the World Rally Championship France in Bastia, France on March 30, 2019