Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala inherited the lead of Rallye Deutschland after team-mate Sebastien Ogier crashed in the vineyards early into the final stage on day one of the Rally of Germany.
Citroen Total Abu Dhabi driver Kris Meeke also benefitted from Ogier’s misfortune, with the Irishman promptly moving to second overall, with Hyundai pilot Dani Sordo making a late push to grab third place going into the overnight halt.
Volkswagen’s Andreas Mikkelsen and Hyundai’s second driver, Thierry Neuville, completed the topfive with the fight for podium places still very much open.
“We got a message in the car that Ogier had stopped and then saw said Latvala.
“I lost my rhythm a little because I didn’t know whether to drive fast or slow down.
“Miikka (co-driver Anttila) told me I was in the lead and could back off, but I slowed too much and found it hard to concentrate.”
Prior to Ogier’s crash, the final Moselland stage was initially delayed for more than 35 minutes, but when it started the Frenchman went off the road 7.2km into the test.
His Volkswagen Polo R emerged from the vineyards onto a different road below the stage, which he drove along in an effort to regain the correct route.
However, it did not lead back to the stage and the Frenchman eventually found a way down to the Latvala now leads Meeke by 37 seconds while Sordo, the 2013 winner in Germany, is further back by 42 seconds. Meeke said: “I got a message from the team that Seb had stopped at 7.2km and I knew exactly the corner he went off at. “I’ll keep driving my own pace. There’s no chance to catch Jari- Matti on pace alone. There’s still a long way to go.” Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Racing junior driver Mohammed Al Mutawaa made a strong debut in the WRC 3 feeder series, but a pace note mistake cost him 10 minutes and dragged him down the order. The Abu Dhabi native said: “The first two stages went really very well but unfortunately we went off on the final stage before the midday service. “We were able to get back on the road and finish the stage but lost 10 minutes in the process. “It is a long rally and I will do my very best to get back into a stronger position over the next two days and hopefully my performance will improve.” Jordan has so far held three rounds of the WRC main road and set off on the journey back to service in Trier. The world champion, unhurt in the incident, received a 10-minute penalty for not completing the test. The penalty will end his hopes of winning the race and extending his lead in the world championship
