With one special stage to go on Friday, Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai i20) has taken over the lead from Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota Yaris). The difference between the Finn and the Japanese is 1.8. The Swede Oliver Solberg (Skoda Fabia) is the surprising third. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) dropped to eleventh place after an engine problem, at 2:43.8.
Bron: BELGIAN
The roads and conditions were, if possible, even more difficult on Friday afternoon during the second loop of three special stages than in the morning. Neuville, who still had to be the first on the track, only set the 42nd fastest time in the first stage! The top five of the first stage were taken by Rally2 cars.
Coup de theater at the start of the second stage. Neuville started four minutes late and was given a 40 second penalty. His teammate Elfyn Evans was therefore the first to take to the track, followed by Neuville. “I think the team spirit has completely disappeared,” snapped the Welshman. Neuville denied a tactical maneuver. “We had an engine problem. Along the way the hood on the left also came loose. The problem has to do with the fuel pressure. Fortunately, it doesn't bother me during the special stages.”
During the final stage, Evans was the first to lose on track 44.5 to stage winner Lappi. Due to a better starting position and the loss of time by many Rally1 drivers, Rally2 driver Solberg moved up to third place.
Grégoire Munster (Ford Puma) has to chase after his flat tire on Friday morning and is now nineteenth, at 6:29.8. The Finn Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota Yaris) and the Estonian Ott Tänak (Hyundai i20) gave up on Friday morning.