After starting the day in fifth
position, the Citroën
Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team’s Mads Østberg grabbed third overall on
SS8 while Kris Meeke cut the gap to the leaders to finish sixth.
At the
overnight halt, Mads Østberg commented: “I’m starting to understand where we
are losing time compared to the fastest drivers. But it’s difficult to find
those extra few seconds. I’m trying to change my driving style so I can close
the gap. The goal is to keep it up and try and hold onto our position until the
end."
A better
pleased Kris Meeke added: “The conditions were changing a lot this morning. As more cars came
through the stages, the gravel was increasingly exposed under the snow. There
was a lot more grip. I was pleased with my consistency, especially as some of
the others ran into problems. I’m now sixth overall, and to be honest, that’s beyond
the expectations I had for this rally.”
Yves Matton
(Citroën Racing Team Principal): “The conditions were especially tough
today. Mads upped his pace, whilst leaving a certain margin of safety. This is
only his second rally in the Citroën DS3 WRC. Going after one of the top two
places would involve taking risks that we feel are too great for his experience
in the car. Kris continued to drive according to his feeling. He is racking up
the miles in preparation for the races ahead. And that’s exactly what we asked
him to do before the start."
Tomorrow’s closing leg features eight
timed stages over a total of 142 kilometres. SS24, Varmullsesen, will be the
Power Stage. The rally is due to finish in Karlstad at 5.27pm.
STANDINGS AFTER 16 (of 24 stages)
DAY 2:
1. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila
(Volkswagen Polo R WRC) 1:48:47.6
2. Andreas Mikkelsen / Mikko Markkula (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +3.6
3. Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson (Citroën DS3 WRC) +43.0
4. Mikko Hirvonen / Jarmo Lehtinen (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +1:02.7
5. Ott Tanak / Raigo Molder (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +1:08.7
6. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Citroën DS3 WRC) +2:31.2
7. Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +2:47.0
8. Pontus Tidemand / Ola Floene (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +2:48.4
9. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +3:38.4
10. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +3:41.8
2. Andreas Mikkelsen / Mikko Markkula (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +3.6
3. Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson (Citroën DS3 WRC) +43.0
4. Mikko Hirvonen / Jarmo Lehtinen (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +1:02.7
5. Ott Tanak / Raigo Molder (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +1:08.7
6. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Citroën DS3 WRC) +2:31.2
7. Henning Solberg / Ilka Minor (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +2:47.0
8. Pontus Tidemand / Ola Floene (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +2:48.4
9. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +3:38.4
10. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +3:41.8
18. Khalid Al Qassimi / Chris Patterson
(Citroën DS3 WRC) +9:53.4
Craig Breen is just outside the top ten in an excellent 11th
place with Eamon Boland in 28th place.
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