Paris (AFP)
The Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), leader since the first stage of the morning, had 21 sec 5/10 lead in the Rally Catalunya, 13th and penultimate round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), Saturday evening.
His Estonian rival Ott Tänak (Toyota), who has a chance to clinch his first world title this weekend, was 3rd at 24 sec 6/10 of Neuville and 3 sec 1/10 of the 2nd place held by Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai).
The Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) remained 8th at 4 min 9 sec 9/10 of the Belgian and 2 min 45 sec 4/10 of the 7th place. Only one mishap of an opponent could allow him to go up the standings in the last four specials Sunday, including the Power Stage (ES17) which awards bonus points in the Championship.
The second Frenchman, Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai), who took the race and was leading on Friday night, was 4th at 25 sec 2/10 of Neuville, and only 6/10 of Tänak.
To be crowned this weekend, the Estonian must score two more points than Ogier, six times title holder, while not letting the Belgian take over more than eleven units.
© 2019 AFP