2024 Croatia Rally – Saturday report
Thierry Neuville led a finely balanced Croatia Rally after Saturday’s enthralling penultimate leg ended with the main three drivers blanketed by 11.6sec.
After a day of many twists and turns – actually and metaphorically – Hyundai i20 N star Neuville held a 4.9sec benefit over Toyota rival Elfyn Evans, provisionally scoring 18 factors to spice up his championship cost in opposition to the Welshman. Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier made it two GR Yaris vehicles inside the highest three, ending inside 11.6sec of the highest spot.
The morning swung in Neuville’s favour due to his efforts in preserving his 4 delicate compound Pirelli P Zero tyres. Evans, who had ended Friday tied with the Belgian, dropped 4.7sec throughout the loop as he struggled to juggle solely three softs, two wets and one arduous tyre within the absence of forecasted rain.
All three Toyota crews opted to hold 4 delicate and two moist tyres for the repeated afternoon loop whereas Neuville selected a extra numerous package deal comprising two hards, two softs and two wets.
Though that technique initially paid off for the Japanese marque when Evans reclaimed the lead after beating Neuville by 6.7sec within the gentle drizzle of SS13, Neuville responded by successful the ultimate three asphalt exams in predominantly dry circumstances to return in entrance.
Neuville’s Saturday standing will earn him 18 factors, offering he completes Tremendous Sunday. Evans will obtain 15 whereas Ogier will get 13.
“It’s not a giant lead, however we had an excellent day,” smiled the chief. “Regardless of a not excellent tyre alternative this afternoon we have been able to defending our lead. We have to proceed attacking and have a superb tyre alternative [on Sunday]. It wasn’t simple when the climate wasn’t very simple to guage.”
Ott Tänak was fourth, greater than a minute additional again in one other i20. The Estonian was fortunate to flee with nothing greater than barely a bent rear wheel when he ran extensive on a left-hander and clipped a kerb.
Tänak had 19.9sec in hand over Adrien Fourmaux’s Ford Puma in fifth. Fourmaux was once more spectacular in his M-Sport machine, taking the quickest time at Smerovišće – Grdanjci to stretch his benefit over Toyota’s third driver Takamoto Katsuta.
Seventh-placed Andreas Mikkelsen suffered one other time-consuming overshoot however felt more and more snug aboard his Hyundai by the day’s end. Grégoire Munster gained extra precious expertise in his Puma to finish the day eighth.
4 extra levels lie in wait in Sunday’s finale, with as much as 12 championship factors nonetheless up for grabs. They complete 54.78km earlier than the end in Croatian capital Zagreb.
Gryazin closes in on Croatia Rally WRC2 victory
In ninth total, Nikolay Gryazin is 4 levels away from clinching the Croatia Rally WRC2 victory after steering his DG Competitors-entered Citroën C3 Rally2 to a 39.5sec lead over team-mate Yohan Rossel.
In an identical method to Friday, Gryazin and Rossel dominated proceedings on the damaged asphalt levels round Croatia’s capital metropolis Zagreb, regardless of Rossel dropping greater than 35sec on the ultimate stage of the morning loop when he picked up tyre injury.
That incident allowed Gryazin to ease up over the remaining levels, realizing that the Citroën pair have been greater than two minutes away from Spain’s Pepe Lépez, who ultimately introduced his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 again to in a single day service 2min 21sec behind Rossel.
López has all the things to drive for on Sunday with Nicolas Ciamin honing in on a podium place. The Hyundai i20 N Rally2 driver sliced his deficit to Lopez from 20.1sec at the start of Saturday to simply 10.8sec on the finish.
Jürgenson places one hand on Croatia WRC3 and Junior WRC crown
FIA Rally Star driver Romet Jürgenson maintained his stronghold within the WRC3, finishing Saturday’s penultimate leg with a 2min 9.4sec lead.
The Estonian started day two of the treacherous asphalt fixture with a lead of multiple minute over nearest challenger Tom Rensonnet. His benefit widened additional after SS11 when the Belgian driver retired as a consequence of his automobile’s engine overheating.
Nonetheless, Jürgenson confirmed no inclination to ease off regardless of his substantial lead. Along with WRC3, the 24-year-old can also be competing for FIA Junior WRC honours, with the sequence providing a single bonus level for each stage win.
Quickest on three of the day’s eight particular levels, solely 4 exams on Sunday stand between Jürgenson, co-driver Siim Oja and a maiden victory in each classes.
Australia’s Taylor Gill benefited from Rensonnet’s misfortune and secured an FIA Rally Star 1-2 in his related Ford Fiesta Rally3 automobile. Filip Kohn occupied the ultimate podium spot 25.0sec behind after battling with sole Renault Clio Rally3 entrant Mattéo Chatillon. Kohn grabbed the place within the ultimate stage and can head into Sunday 2.6sec forward of the Frenchman.
An additional 36.1sec adrift of Chatillon, and rounding out the highest 5, have been the brother-sister pairing of Norbert and Francesca Maior.
Petr Borodin dashed any hopes of a top-six consequence when he rolled his Fiesta in SS13. Eamonn Kelly retired earlier within the day with a coolant leak, whereas Raul Hernández additionally failed to complete as a consequence of mechanical points.
