Classification ES5 Central Europe Rally 2024

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HIGHLIGHTS

On this more degraded and tricky special stage with many leaves on the road, the two Hyundais of Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville are the fastest. Thanks to this performance, the Belgian took the lead for the first time, two seconds ahead of Sébastien Ogier, “only” third in this time. For the first time this weekend, the Frenchman was slightly handicapped by his position on the road.

Starting behind his teammate, Elfyn Evans lost a little more time and is now six seconds from the lead. Behind this top 4, the hole was made in these more delicate and unpredictable conditions. Provisional fifth, Takamoto Katsuta is alone while behind the Japanese, Andreas Mikkelsen has suffered and must give up.

Still without hybrid or feeling, Adrien Fourmaux loses well over a second per kilometer and is fighting against Sami Pajari, new to Rally1 on asphalt.

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PILOT REACTIONS

T. Neuville 9:24.8	I just went wide. The grip changes with each turn, it’s difficult to judge the grip. Overall, it was very complicated and we struggled with the balance of the car in these conditions.
O. Thank you 9:24.5	It was quite complicated in some places, especially in the forest where there were a lot of grip changes. It was difficult to find the right rhythm.
S. Ogier 9:27.8	We expected the stage to get dirtier and dirtier with some dirt and leaves.
E.Evans 9:30.6	It was just difficult, there was a section in the middle with leaves where it looked like you had no grip, but the leaves were everywhere so you couldn’t read the road at all.
A.Fourmaux 9:47.7	I’m really having a lot of trouble with the car. And what’s more, there were a lot of leaves in the forest part and you have no idea of the grip on them. I don’t have a hybrid either, so it’s a very complicated day for us.
T.Katsuta 9:39.9	It’s a lot dirtier now with more pollution and leaves. It was really very slippery, and it was surprising at times.
S. Pajari 9:44.0	It’s not easy, I was very careful. Some portions were good with good grip, it was the opposite in others, it was a matter of learning.
A. Mikkelsen	Sortie