The driver from Saint-Vith, leader in the world championship, is 1:08.4 behind Finnish Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota) after 17 of the 19 special stages on the program of the meeting.
Neuville overtook Latvian Martins Sesks (Ford Puma), 6th, 15 seconds behind the Belgian driver, then Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai), 5th (13.2 behind Neuville) in difficulty due to the deterioration of his tires and a puncture on the rear right in SS16.
Sixth at the end of Saturday, Neuville wants above all to secure as many points as possible on Sunday on all four special stages following the new points allocation scale.
Welshman Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris), Neuville’s closest pursuer in the WRC, is 2nd, 18.1 behind Rovanperä. Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux, 3rd, 38.8 behind, completes the provisional podium.
There are two sections left to go, the last of which will act as a Power Stage and award additional points in the world championship.
Double reigning world champion Kalle Rovanperä was not scheduled for this Rally Poland. He replaced Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris) who was the victim of a road accident on Tuesday while reconnoitering the route. The Finn has chosen a limited programme this season in WRC.
Louis Louka, Grégoire Munster’s teammate who races under a Luxembourg license (Ford Puma), is 7th at 1:56.6.
The Rally Poland returns to the world championship calendar after a seven-year absence. Thierry Neuville won the last edition in 2017.
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