Ott Tanak dominated Saturday's second leg of Rally Finland to close on his second victory of the 2018 WRC season.
A run of five consecutive speed test victories carried the Estonian Toyota Yaris driver into a 39.0sec lead over Mads Østberg, with whom he fought tooth and nail for top spot in Friday’s opening leg. Team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala completed the top three.
The lead changed hands on four occasions between Tänak and Østberg on Friday but today was very different. A clean sweep of all four blisteringly fast gravel special stages this morning was followed by a fifth fastest time in the afternoon’s opener.
His 5.8sec overnight lead ballooned and just four more tests, covering less than 46km, stand between Tänak and a maiden Finland success, which would revive his slim title hopes after a barren run at the previous two rounds.
Tänak nursed a suspected steering problem through the final three stages and said: “We managed to improve it so it was pretty much driveable. This afternoon has been really tough because the conditions were rough, and in those conditions you see every rock on the road.”
Østberg was comfortable in second this morning but the decision to carry a second spare wheel for the afternoon stages proved costly. The additional weight transformed the handling of his Citroën C3 and he yielded vital seconds to Latvala.
Hayden Paddon leads both his Hyundai team-mates to lie in fifth place.
Latvala, three times a winner in Finland, trailed Østberg by 17.6sec at the mid-leg service but slashed the deficit to 5.4sec to set up an intriguing final day duel.
Esapekka Lappi ended Tänak’s run of stage victories and reeled off three fastest times of his own. He climbed from eighth to fourth in the third Yaris, setting the seal on an impressive day for Toyota Gazoo Racing, on whose doorstep the Jyväskylä-based rally is held.
Hayden Paddon was fifth, despite brake problems and high tyre wear, with Teemu Suninen heading a trio of Ford Fiestas in sixth.
Teemu Suninen is the best placed Fiesta in sixth place.
Sébastien Ogier lacked confidence as he struggled to come to terms with new shock absorbers and an upgraded aerodynamic package. He held off team-mate Elfyn Evans in eighth with Craig Breen ninth in a C3.
Championship leader Thierry Neuville failed to make up yesterday’s lost time and remained 10th. The Belgian was again hampered by a lack of grip, courtesy of an early position in the start order, and his only consolation was that main title rival Ogier also fared badly.
Sunday’s finale is a quickfire affair featuring two identical loops of two stages covering 45.72km. The last Ruuhimäki test comprises the Power Stage, with bonus points on offer to the fastest five drivers.
After Day 2:
1. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) 2:13:18.2
2. Mads Østberg / Torstein Eriksen (Citroen C3 WRC) +39.0
3. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +44.4
4. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +1:20.6
5. Hayden Paddon / Sebastian Marshal (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:29.6
6. Teemu Suninen / Mikko Markkula (Ford Fiesta WRC) +1:45.1
7. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +2:07.6
8. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +2:17.9
9. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen C3 WRC) +2:56.4
10. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +3:34.5
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally
content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news,
features and experiences nobody can match.
Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which
shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine.
If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.
We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires.
If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period.
You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.
Account Created!
Welcome to RallySport Magazine VIP Membership.
Get ready for your rally news experience to completely transform.
Start browsing news, exclusive VIP content or check out your account.
