Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier leads Rally Italia Sardinia from Hyundai’s Ott Tanak after an eventful start to the World Rally Championship’s new shorter sprint rally concept.
The eight-time world champion claimed two of Friday afternoon’s four gravel stages that made up a much shorter leg than usual courtesy of the WRC’s trial of a new event format. Starting fifth on the road, Ogier made the most of his road position and managed to hold off charge from Hyundai’s Tanak to take a 4.5s lead into Saturday. Hyundai’s Dani Sordo enjoyed a strong finish to the day to jump up to third as Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta slotted into fourth .
Tyre trouble reared its head again as third-placed Fourmaux developed a slow left-rear puncture five kilometres into the stage. The M-Sport driver was able to reach the stage end but by then the tyre had delaminated, ripping the bodywork from the rear of his Puma. Fourmaux ceded 49.9s in the process as he plummeted from third to sixth in the overall standings.
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