Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Saturday September 7, 2024 at 9:05 p.m.
After taking the lead in the general standings at the end of the morning, Thierry Neuville was not troubled and retains the lead in the Rally of Greece ahead of his teammate Dani Sordo and Sébastien Ogier, who reduced the gap on the Spaniard.
Thierry Neuville has achieved his first goal of the weekend. After taking advantage of a tire problem for his Hyundai teammate Dani Sordo to take first place in the Rally of Greece, the Belgian driver made no mistakes on the three afternoon special stages. Never giving up more than five and a half seconds, the world championship leader did more than secure the 18 points reserved for the driver who finishes Saturday in first position. He even allowed himself the luxury of winning SS12, contested over 1.97 kilometers in the suburbs of Athens. “I would say that the day was not easy,” confided Thierry Neuville at the finish of this last timed sector. There is nothing else to say. We are sticking to our plan and it is working. It will be good tomorrow (Sunday), we will bring back good points after a weekend that was far from easy.”
Ogier: “It was a good day”
After starting the second loop of the day with a 50-second lead over Sébastien Ogier, Dani Sordo gave it his all but the eight-time world champion was able to make up a large part of his deficit on the Spaniard. With three stages still to go, the Gapençais is still 25 seconds behind the Hyundai driver. “It was a good day. I did everything in my power and I enjoyed some sections,” said the Frenchman. “Now, let’s try to enjoy myself tomorrow (Sunday).” With a lead of more than two minutes over Ott Tänak, the podium is in sight for Sébastien Ogier but, on the three stages this Sunday, there are still many points to be won in order to limit the gap with Thierry Neuville in the race for the world title. Now a regular at Toyota for the entire remainder of the season, the Gapençais does not intend to spare his efforts, as he has done throughout this weekend.
RALLYE – WRC / GRECE
Ranking at the end of SS12 (out of 15) – Saturday September 7, 2024
1- Thierry Neuville – Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL-BEL/Hyundai) and 3h01’96”3
2- Dani Sordo – Candido Carrera (ESP-ESP/Hyundai) at 54”9
3- Sébastien Ogier – Vincent Landais (FRA-FRA/Toyota) at 1’19”9
4- Ott Tänak – Martin Järveoja (EST-EST/Hyundai) à 3’20”5
5- Sami Pajari – Enni Mälkönen (FIN-FIN/Toyota Rally2) à 5’07”3
…
Special stage winners
Ogier : 6 (ES1, ES3, ES4, ES8, ES9, ES11)
Katsuta: 1 (ES2)
Tank : 2 (ES5, ES10)
Neuville : 3 (ES6, ES7, ES12)
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