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 over all four special stages according to 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 serves as a Power Stage and grants additional points for the world championship.
Double reigning world champion, Kalle Rovanperä was not planned for this Rally Poland. He replaced the Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris) who was the victim of a driving accident on Tuesday while reconnoitering the course. The Finn has chosen a limited program this season in the WRC.
Louis Louka, teammate of Grégoire Munster who races under a Luxembourg license (Ford Puma), is 7th at 1:56.6.
The Polish Rally makes its return to the world championship calendar, after seven years of absence. Thierry Neuville won the last edition in 2017.
