Trier (Germany) (AFP)
Estonian coach Ött Tänak (Toyota) on Friday took control of the 10th round of the WRC World Championship ahead of Belgium's Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) after the first day, while Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) was left behind. .
The two men shared the seven specials played under sunny skies around the vineyards of Moselle on hillside roads: five "scratches" (best time) for Tänak, two for Neuville, which only points to 2, 8 seconds.
"That's exactly what we expected: short stages and tight gaps," said Tänak, the two-time defending champion of the German Rally.
"It will be difficult to make big differences tomorrow," he said.
Neuville, born a few kilometers from the other side of the border and almost regional of the stage, assured him that he was doing "the maximum" he could "without taking risks".
The Belgian was the strongest on the two stages of 19.44 km long but had to give in front of the almost no fault of Tänak, who had already won the opening night Thursday night.
"Tomorrow will be a long day, we had a good day in the car, we feel pretty comfortable, especially this afternoon," said Neuville.
The drivers will compete in the formidable special Panzerplatte (literally "armor plates"), drawn in the military camp of Baumholder, during which "anything can happen" according to Neuville.
The Belgian, who remains on two disappointing sixth places in the rallies of Finland and Sardinia, could be back on the second step of the world championship podium at the expense of French Sebastien Ogier in case of good performance on this rally.
- Ogier in trouble -
For Ogier, the day was complicated. Special after special, the six-time world champion and three-time winner in Germany lost time on his two main rivals.
However came "to ensure a good result" and "a little tilt the balance in my favor at the championship" in a "test that (he) always managed", Ogier finds himself under the pressure of Neuville in the championship which he currently holds the 2nd place behind the Estonian and in front of the Belgian.
First embarrassed by handling problems, his car sliding forward (oversteer) in turn, Ogier then made several mistakes that cost him time, including a slight collision with a straw boot during of the sixth special.
"Unfortunately, I was doing a better stage but that mistake cost me a few seconds, it's not fantastic, but the car is better," said the Frenchman, who previously admitted "not knowing what to do to settle" the problem.
"The car does not answer as I want, it's complicated, I have to take more risks for the car to turn and unfortunately I make mistakes, I'm not very satisfied but tomorrow everything can happen," Ogier said. the outcome of the specials of the day.
Especially since behind, the French driver sees the threat of the British Kris Meeke (Toyota) getting closer, maintaining his provisional place on the podium for only 3.5 seconds.
The Spaniard Dani Sordo was the victim of mechanical problems in the last stage of the day, as he was trailing Ogier and fighting for the podium.
Penalized by a problem with his gearbox, he loses more than 50 seconds. "At least the first gear works," he said ironically.
Saturday, eight special stages will be on the program of the rally, which will end Sunday.
© 2019 AFP