Estonian driver, Ott Tänak takes the lead at Rally Finland after winning Harju’s Super Special stage. The event was disputed yesterday along 2,3 kilometres of the streets of Jyvaskaya. Tänak set the fastest time with 1’49”2 minutes, followed by WRC leader Thierry Neuville seven-tenths of a second later. At just one-tenth of a second behind, came Neuville’s top rival Ogier.

Last year’s winner, Esapekka Lappi was fifth after sliding into the grass at the entrance of a tight chicane and losing time as a result. Despite avoiding the barriers, the Finnish driver only managed a time of 1.7 seconds behind team-mate Tänak. The Estonian champion, one of this rally’s favourites and third in the WRC standings, believes despite his victory, that local drivers have an advantage on the ground:

«It is definitely the same as last year (…) those running at home know better how to face these tracks. I can’t complain, however, because I have the same tools as them this year. I just need to be faster and it is all down to me».

In the pre-race Shakedown, both the Citroën came out on top with Mads Østberg and Craig Breen taking the first and second positions respectively. They were closely followed by the Toyotas with Jari-Matti Latvala finishing third and Ott Tänak fourth.

Pilots are heading west today where they will be faced with a whole new set of tracks around the areas of Moksi, Urria, Ässämäki and Äänekoski, for a total of 126,37 kilometres. Thierry Neuville, as leader of the standings, will be first on the track in what is sure to be a challenging day for him, with the Toyotas in great shape and Sebastien Ogier under exceptional pressure to excel. The French driver and five-time world champion has a lot at stake as any small mistake could cost him his coveted sixth title.

 Results 

1 Tänak -Jarveoja (Est/Toyota), 1:49.2 

2 Neuville-Gilsoul (Bel/Hyundai), a 0.7s 

3 Ogier-Ingrassia (Fra/Ford), a 0.8s 

4 Mikkelsen-Jaeger (Nor/Hyundai), a 0.9s 

5 Lappi-Ferm (Fin/Toyota), a 1.7s

By T.C. | Photo: www.wrc.com