WRC Central Europe: Sebastien Ogier edges into early lead

The World Rally Championship leader has made best start to the Central European Rally

Sebastien Ogier moved into an early lead over title rival Kalle Rovanpera after the opening two stages of the World Rally Championship’s return to asphalt at the Central European Rally.

Ogier, seeking a record-equalling ninth world title, continued his impressive form by setting the pace in Thursday’s stages to open up a 1.6s lead over Toyota team-mate Rovanpera.

Two passes through the 12.83km Golf und Therme test kicked off round 12, with Ogier lighting up the timing screens in the first run. The 41-year-old made most of a clean road, starting first, to set the pace with a time 1.7s faster than Rovanpera and Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, who posted identical times.

The stage became increasingly dirty with every pass despite organisers fitting numerous anti-cut devices to prevent the amount of pollution being dragged onto the road.

The second pass was held in fading light with only the top two crews able to navigate through without the use of headlights.

Ogier was able to post a time 0.6s quicker than his afternoon effort, but it wasn’t enough to win the test. The honour went to Rovanpera, who beat his team-mate by 0.1s to the stage win. The Finn started the weekend 21 points behind Ogier in the title race.

“A clean start tomorrow will be much more challenging. It is hard to know what is going to happen with the weather,” said Ogier.

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Fourmaux could only set the fifth-fastest time in the second pass having been hampered by the dark conditions. The Frenchman however held onto third overall, 3.9s shy of the lead.

“For sure it is not really fair that we run the stage in the dark, but it is part of the game," said Fourmaux. “We cannot beat them when it is dark for us and there is light for them. Actually I’m quite pleased with my stage, I can gain probably one second but the lights were not pointing on the top of the crest so I couldn’t see the line. It is OK.”

Toyota pair Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta will head into Friday’s stages tied for fourth, 5.6s adrift of the lead.

Ogier’s nearest title rival Elfyn Evans, two points behind in the championship race, dropped three seconds in each pass to sit sixth overall, six seconds adrift.

Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, driving an older generation i20 N, ended the day in seventh [+6.1s]. Tanak was 0.2s quicker than team-mate Thierry Neuville, who is driving the team’s current spec WRC car.

M-Sport-Ford’s Gregoire Munster and Josh McErlean rounded out the top 10, ahead of leading WRC2 runner Alejandro Cachon.

Six asphalt stages await the crews on Friday comprising of 99 competitive kilometres.