Neuville started his day with the 6th time of SS9 before setting the third best time of SS10 to move up to 6th place overall. The Saint-Vithois then set the 6th time of SS11 to maintain the same position in the standings, 46.4 seconds behind the Finnish Kalle Rovaneperä (Toyota), new leader.
The two-time reigning world champion, who is racing a partial programme this season, replaces Frenchman Sébastien Ogier, who withdrew after a road accident on Tuesday while recceing the course. Rovanperä is just 0.1 seconds ahead of Welshman Elfyn Evans (Toyota) and 2.2 seconds ahead of Norwegian Anders Mikkelsen (Hyundai).
Estonian Ott Tänak, Neuville’s teammate at Hyundai, returned to the road after abandoning Friday after hitting a deer which damaged the radiator of his car.
Four stages are still on the program for Saturday during the second loop. The first points will be awarded at the end of the day. The Polish Rally will end on Sunday with four special stages including the traditional Power Stage to finish.
Neuville leads the championship with 122 points, ahead of Tänak and Evans, who both have 104 points.
The Polish Rally is making its grand return to the world championship calendar, after seven years of absence. Thierry Neuville won the last edition in 2017.
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