Trier (Germany) (AFP)
Estonian driver Ött Tänak (Toyota) consolidated his lead on Saturday morning to Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), pushed back to 6.7 seconds at the end of the ninth special stage of the German Rally, the 10th round of the WRC World Rally Championship .
After the first stage of the day won by Spaniard Dani Sordo, however penalized by his gearbox Friday night, Tänak, double title holder on the Moselle roads, has taken matters in hand, and increased his lead over Neuville 5 , 2 seconds during this special stage.
"I had a good stage, I pushed more than the previous one, the road was cleaner so there was less risk," said the Estonian.
Frenchman Sebastien Ogier consolidates his third place by taking a little time in Neuville, but the British Meeke (Toyota), placed less than four seconds, remains on the lookout for the podium.
"The car is hard to drive, we are fighting all the time," said Ogier, six-time world champion.
On Friday, the native of Gap was initially hampered by handling problems before committing several mistakes that cost him time, including a slight collision with a boot of straw during the sixth stage.
This afternoon, the drivers will have the opportunity to create significant gaps in the four stages on the roads of the Baumholder military camp and the formidable Panzerplatte ("armor plates").
© 2019 AFP