Neuville took advantage of Ogier’s abandonment to take the lead in Sardinia

Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) took advantage of the Frenchman’s abandonment on Saturday Sebastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris) and a decrease in Finn speed Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai i20) to usurp the leadership of Italy-Sardinia Rally, sixth round of the World Cup and ends this Sunday.

Neuville, a two-time winner in Sardinia (2016 and 2018), started this season with a streak of three podiums, in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico, but is currently fifth in the championship after two disappointing results in the last two rallies – Croatia and Portugal-. Now he is ready to add to his eighteenth World Cup victory and relaunch his 2023 options.

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The 34-year-old Belgian leads the overall in Sardinia with an advantage of 36.4 seconds Lappi and 1:50.7 minutes compared to Finn Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota GR Yaris)current world champion and leader of the tournament, in the absence of the four sections that make up the final stage.

The British are fourth Elfyn Evansalso with Toyota, 5:36.5 behind the leader.

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The Spanish Dani Sordo (Hyundai i20), twice winner of this rally, lost all options on Friday due to an accident that did not prevent him from continuing the race. Although he was 6:27.9 behind the head, the Spaniard managed to climb to fifth place on Saturday and was the best in the penultimate stage of the day.

Ogier started Saturday’s stage with an advantage of just a tenth of a second over Lappi, who he briefly handed command after the second special stage of the day. In the third, the eight-time world champion regained control and remained in the lead until the penultimate section, shortly after the start, when he experienced an off-track run that ruined his hopes.

Passing the scene of the accident, Lappi chose to slow down, as he admitted, which Neuville took advantage of to increase his pace and take the lead directly from third place.

He The Italy-Sardinia Rally, based in Olbia, ends this Sunday with a dispute of four timed sections, the last at 12.15 CET (10.15 GMT).