Monte Carlo Rally
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Split six is in for the first few cars, and Kubica is 32.5s faster than Meeke there.
First split in for Tanak, who is way back on 14th on the road still, and he is a couple of seconds quicker than Mikkelsen, who he's chasing for third overall.
First split in for Tanak, who is way back on 14th on the road still, and he is a couple of seconds quicker than Mikkelsen, who he's chasing for third overall.
Prokop's second split is in, and Loeb is half a minute faster than him there.
Ogier is 1m12s slower than Kubica at split four, and 30-40s slower than the likes of Meeke and Loeb.
The VWs have gone out with some studded tyres among their options, could tyre choice be causing this disparity?
The VWs have gone out with some studded tyres among their options, could tyre choice be causing this disparity?
This is extraordinary stuff from Kubica, who is so far an absolute class apart. No one is within half a minute of his pace as the stage goes into its second half.
Stopwatch
At split 5, Kubica is 31.3s quicker than Meeke.
Loeb remains about 8s off Meeke, and Latvala is on a similar pace to Loeb.
We're getting our first splits from the lower-top-10 drivers that Loeb has to catch, and at split one he's taken 12s out of Prokop. He's got a three and a half minute gap to close to the Czech over the next day and a half.
Loeb remains about 8s off Meeke, and Latvala is on a similar pace to Loeb.
We're getting our first splits from the lower-top-10 drivers that Loeb has to catch, and at split one he's taken 12s out of Prokop. He's got a three and a half minute gap to close to the Czech over the next day and a half.
Stopwatch
Past the mid-stage split and Kubica continues to fly, he's 29.7s faster than Meeke there.
Mikkelsen remains 10s quicker than Latvala as he reaches split two.
Back at split one, Mikkelsen, Ostberg and Neuville are on a similar pace, 10s faster than Latvala but a couple of seconds slower than Kubica, Loeb and Meeke were there.
Loeb is through split three 35s slower than Kubica and 8s slower than Meeke.
Back at split one, Mikkelsen, Ostberg and Neuville are on a similar pace, 10s faster than Latvala but a couple of seconds slower than Kubica, Loeb and Meeke were there.
Loeb is through split three 35s slower than Kubica and 8s slower than Meeke.
Stopwatch
At split three, Kubica's time is now 27.5s faster than Meeke's.
Ogier is slowest so far at split two, with Latvala through there 2s quicker than his team-mate.
Ogier is slowest so far at split two, with Latvala through there 2s quicker than his team-mate.
Crash
Reports at the stage end at the moment indicate that Chardonnet's problem is a crash.
The Junior WRC champion's chance of starring on this Citroen World Rally Car outing didn't last long, as he broke his suspension with an early accident on Thursday night, but he had shown some good pace yesterday, including a second-fastest time on one of the afternoon stages.
The Junior WRC champion's chance of starring on this Citroen World Rally Car outing didn't last long, as he broke his suspension with an early accident on Thursday night, but he had shown some good pace yesterday, including a second-fastest time on one of the afternoon stages.
Mikkelsen is the quickest of the three VWs at the first split. He's on a similar pace to Kubica and Loeb, which is just over 10s better than Latvala up to that point.
It's not impossible that Mikkelsen could end up challenging Latvala today. They began the morning 50s apart and both men's pace has fluctuated all over the place this week.
It's not impossible that Mikkelsen could end up challenging Latvala today. They began the morning 50s apart and both men's pace has fluctuated all over the place this week.
Ogier's second split is in, and he's 24s slower than fastest man Kubica there.
With the variety of tyre choices, conditions and amounts drivers have to lose, plus the fact this stage is 32 miles long, we could see some big time swings here.
With the variety of tyre choices, conditions and amounts drivers have to lose, plus the fact this stage is 32 miles long, we could see some big time swings here.
Stopwatch
Kubica is now the fastest man at split two, 5s faster than Meeke, while Loeb is 13s off the Pole's pace.
The timing system hasn't picked up Ogier's first split (he's still moving fine on the tracking), but Latvala is 13s off the pace there.
Loeb's first split is in, and he's a couple of seconds off team-mate Meeke's pace.
Loeb and Meeke as team-mates, that still sounds novel doesn't it? Will this weekend be the only time we can type it...?
It'll be interesting to compare Loeb and Ogier's splits today (there's still honour at stake) but actually we really want to see Loeb's pace versus the likes of Prokop and Solberg, as they're the men he has to catch to salvage some points.
Loeb and Meeke as team-mates, that still sounds novel doesn't it? Will this weekend be the only time we can type it...?
It'll be interesting to compare Loeb and Ogier's splits today (there's still honour at stake) but actually we really want to see Loeb's pace versus the likes of Prokop and Solberg, as they're the men he has to catch to salvage some points.
Breaking news
Problems for Rally2ing Citroen young gun Chardonnet, the tracking system shows him stopped on the stage.
Stopwatch
Quickest man at split one is Meeke, he's 1.1s up on Kubica. Chardonnet is 5-6s slower than them.
Rain
Cold
And here's an indication of the weather, via the high-tech method of the AUTOSPORT Peugeot 308's windscreen.
"Considerably colder start this morning," reported DAVID EVANS as he headed out to the stages.
"Minus six took a while to clear..."
Breaking news
So this morning's themes...
Ogier just has to keep it smooth, and in theory so does Latvala - but J-ML's pace this weekend has varied from bang on Ogier's times to half a minute per stage adrift depending on where his head's at...
...and Mikkelsen can't relax as he has Tanak, Ostberg, Evans and Neuville not too far behind his third place, and the M-Sport pair in particular have flown at times this week...
...while Neuville will probably be keeping it very tidy as he's crashed out early on every previous Monte attempt (getting as far as Saturday is a huge novelty for him here)...
...you'd definitely still fancy Loeb's chances of getting back into the points too...
...and Kubica won three stages yesterday, though he also had two crashes (on one stage), so his pace is well worth watching.
See, this is till fun even though it's not Loeb vs Ogier for the win anymore.
Ogier just has to keep it smooth, and in theory so does Latvala - but J-ML's pace this weekend has varied from bang on Ogier's times to half a minute per stage adrift depending on where his head's at...
...and Mikkelsen can't relax as he has Tanak, Ostberg, Evans and Neuville not too far behind his third place, and the M-Sport pair in particular have flown at times this week...
...while Neuville will probably be keeping it very tidy as he's crashed out early on every previous Monte attempt (getting as far as Saturday is a huge novelty for him here)...
...you'd definitely still fancy Loeb's chances of getting back into the points too...
...and Kubica won three stages yesterday, though he also had two crashes (on one stage), so his pace is well worth watching.
See, this is till fun even though it's not Loeb vs Ogier for the win anymore.
Here's a reminder of our current standings, with Sebastien Chardonnet about to begin the stage.
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +1m45.4s
3 Mikkelsen +2m34.8s
4 Tanak +2m44.4s
5 Ostberg +3m02.9s
6 Evans +3m15.2s
7 Neuville +3m29.9s
8 Sordo +4m03.0s
9 Prokop +6m38.9s
10 Solberg +7m13.8s
15 Loeb +10m08.0s
21 Meeke +12m02.3s
28 Kubica +14m18.8s
And we'll see those last three first, along with Chardonnet (who is 48th overall), as they're all running under Rally2 restart rules, then it's the rest of the field in 2014 championship order.
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +1m45.4s
3 Mikkelsen +2m34.8s
4 Tanak +2m44.4s
5 Ostberg +3m02.9s
6 Evans +3m15.2s
7 Neuville +3m29.9s
8 Sordo +4m03.0s
9 Prokop +6m38.9s
10 Solberg +7m13.8s
15 Loeb +10m08.0s
21 Meeke +12m02.3s
28 Kubica +14m18.8s
And we'll see those last three first, along with Chardonnet (who is 48th overall), as they're all running under Rally2 restart rules, then it's the rest of the field in 2014 championship order.
Stopwatch
Hopefully we can bring you plenty of split-time information as this mega-stage progresses.
Yesterday the timing system was spot on in the morning, but in the afternoon it kept insisting that what we really wanted to see was split times from last year's Sweden powerstage. We didn't.
Yesterday the timing system was spot on in the morning, but in the afternoon it kept insisting that what we really wanted to see was split times from last year's Sweden powerstage. We didn't.
Breaking news
Here are the tyre choices for this morning (for the Michelin runners):
* All three VWs have four super-soft slicks and two studded tyres
* Elfyn Evans has four soft slicks and two studded
* Everyone else has taken five softs
Reports from SS10 are that it's mostly dry and clear, but there are some long patches of ice and snow. On this rally you can get a lot of variety into 32 miles.
* All three VWs have four super-soft slicks and two studded tyres
* Elfyn Evans has four soft slicks and two studded
* Everyone else has taken five softs
Reports from SS10 are that it's mostly dry and clear, but there are some long patches of ice and snow. On this rally you can get a lot of variety into 32 miles.
Fans
Not too surprising that we have had some overcrowded stages this weekend given the huge interest in Sebastien Loeb's return.
As DAVID EVANS notes: "These boys were absolutely on the money until that rock on the outside of a right-hander mid-way through SS8."
Right, shall we try that again?
Just under 20 minutes to go until we do get Saturday under way with SS10.
Most of its 32 miles are dry asphalt, but there is patchy snow and ice as well - and that means a tyre choice dilemma and the possibility of some upsets.
Just under 20 minutes to go until we do get Saturday under way with SS10.
Most of its 32 miles are dry asphalt, but there is patchy snow and ice as well - and that means a tyre choice dilemma and the possibility of some upsets.
Just waiting for further information about the issues on SS9.
The cancellation is going to lead to a bit of a gap before the rally gets going today, with SS10 not scheduled to run until 10.49am local time.
We're going to pause Race Centre Live once more and resume coverage at 9.30am UK time, when hopefully we'll have some rallying to bring you.
The cancellation is going to lead to a bit of a gap before the rally gets going today, with SS10 not scheduled to run until 10.49am local time.
We're going to pause Race Centre Live once more and resume coverage at 9.30am UK time, when hopefully we'll have some rallying to bring you.
Breaking news
And here's an early anti-climax: we're hearing from teams that SS9 has been cancelled for "safety reasons" five minutes before it was due to commence.
Safety concerns normally relate to the volume or positioning of spectators.
Safety concerns normally relate to the volume or positioning of spectators.
Breaking news
Running order today is everyone under Rally2 first, then 2014 championship order, so it goes:
Chardonnet - Kubica - Meeke - Loeb - Ogier - Latvala - Mikkelsen - Ostberg - Neuville - Evans - Sordo
Which at least means we get to see Loeb and Ogier in the same stage conditions for the first time this weekend.
Chardonnet - Kubica - Meeke - Loeb - Ogier - Latvala - Mikkelsen - Ostberg - Neuville - Evans - Sordo
Which at least means we get to see Loeb and Ogier in the same stage conditions for the first time this weekend.
Two stages for you to enjoy this morning: the 12 miles of Prunieres - Embrun, and then the longest of the weekend: Lardier et Valenca - Faye at 32 miles.
Then it's a service break before another crack at Prunieres and then Sisteron - Thoard to finish the day.
Then it's a service break before another crack at Prunieres and then Sisteron - Thoard to finish the day.
Good morning and welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live for our coverage of the Saturday stages of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Slightly different theme today, it's no longer a case of 'can Sebastien Loeb win on his comeback?' but 'how far back up the field can he get?'
Here's the task facing him:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +1m45.4s
3 Mikkelsen +2m34.8s
4 Tanak +2m44.4s
5 Ostberg +3m02.9s
6 Evans +3m15.2s
7 Neuville +3m29.9s
8 Sordo +4m03.0s
9 Prokop +4m59.6s
10 Solberg +6m38.9s
11 Bertelli +7m13.8s
12 Lefebvre +7m42.7s
13 Koci +7m49.2s
14 Kremer +9m47.6s
15 Loeb +10m08.0s
(21 Meeke +12m02.3s)
(28 Kubica +14m18.8s)
Slightly different theme today, it's no longer a case of 'can Sebastien Loeb win on his comeback?' but 'how far back up the field can he get?'
Here's the task facing him:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +1m45.4s
3 Mikkelsen +2m34.8s
4 Tanak +2m44.4s
5 Ostberg +3m02.9s
6 Evans +3m15.2s
7 Neuville +3m29.9s
8 Sordo +4m03.0s
9 Prokop +4m59.6s
10 Solberg +6m38.9s
11 Bertelli +7m13.8s
12 Lefebvre +7m42.7s
13 Koci +7m49.2s
14 Kremer +9m47.6s
15 Loeb +10m08.0s
(21 Meeke +12m02.3s)
(28 Kubica +14m18.8s)
Well, that's a bit of a comedown isn't it?
But this is the Monte Carlo Rally, there's still a day and a half to go, the weather could yet do something really awkward, and you can't really take anything for granted here until it's over.
And though we don't have a Loeb victory bid to get excited about, we now have a Loeb comeback charge instead. Whether it's from six or 10 minutes behind, he's going to be flying tomorrow.
Remember 2006? He crashed, took a five-minute penalty, rejoined and still finished only a minute behind winner Marcus Gronholm in second..,
Keep an eye on the AUTOSPORT news pages tonight for more on whether Loeb makes it back to service, and then we'll be back here with Race Centre Live from 8am UK time on Saturday morning.
But this is the Monte Carlo Rally, there's still a day and a half to go, the weather could yet do something really awkward, and you can't really take anything for granted here until it's over.
And though we don't have a Loeb victory bid to get excited about, we now have a Loeb comeback charge instead. Whether it's from six or 10 minutes behind, he's going to be flying tomorrow.
Remember 2006? He crashed, took a five-minute penalty, rejoined and still finished only a minute behind winner Marcus Gronholm in second..,
Keep an eye on the AUTOSPORT news pages tonight for more on whether Loeb makes it back to service, and then we'll be back here with Race Centre Live from 8am UK time on Saturday morning.
Sebastien Loeb, Citroen, WRC Monte Carlo 2015
Breaking news
SS8 summary:
* Loeb damages his suspension on a rock and loses six minutes
* Mikkelsen moves ahead of Tanak, completing a VW one-two-three behind Ogier and Latvala
* Meeke also sustains damage and has to stop
* Kubica crashes twice and loses nearly four minutes
* Chardonnet emerges with the second-fastest time
* Loeb damages his suspension on a rock and loses six minutes
* Mikkelsen moves ahead of Tanak, completing a VW one-two-three behind Ogier and Latvala
* Meeke also sustains damage and has to stop
* Kubica crashes twice and loses nearly four minutes
* Chardonnet emerges with the second-fastest time
Checkered flag
SS8 results:
Look, a Sebastien in a Citroen was still second-fastest! But it was young Chardonnet...
Stage times:
1 Ogier 15m15.9s
2 Chardonnet +14.7s
3 Ostberg +19.1s
4 Latvala +20.2s
5 Mikkelsen +21.7s
6 Neuville +26.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +1m45.4s
3 Mikkelsen +2m34.8s
4 Tanak +2m44.4s
5 Ostberg +3m02.9s
6 Evans +3m15.2s
7 Neuville +3m29.9s
8 Sordo +4m03.0s
9 Prokop +4m59.6s
10 Loeb +6m08.7s
Our calculation of Loeb being 13th didn't take into account other people's troubles on that stage (Meeke stopping, Solberg going off, Bertelli's slower pace), so right now he is still in the top 10.
Look, a Sebastien in a Citroen was still second-fastest! But it was young Chardonnet...
Stage times:
1 Ogier 15m15.9s
2 Chardonnet +14.7s
3 Ostberg +19.1s
4 Latvala +20.2s
5 Mikkelsen +21.7s
6 Neuville +26.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +1m45.4s
3 Mikkelsen +2m34.8s
4 Tanak +2m44.4s
5 Ostberg +3m02.9s
6 Evans +3m15.2s
7 Neuville +3m29.9s
8 Sordo +4m03.0s
9 Prokop +4m59.6s
10 Loeb +6m08.7s
Our calculation of Loeb being 13th didn't take into account other people's troubles on that stage (Meeke stopping, Solberg going off, Bertelli's slower pace), so right now he is still in the top 10.
Loeb's time loss on the stage is six minutes, which would put him 13th overall if he can get to service.
If he can't, it's a 10-minute rally2 penalty so he'll restart tomorrow near the foot of the top 20.
If he can't, it's a 10-minute rally2 penalty so he'll restart tomorrow near the foot of the top 20.
Crash
Loeb reaches the finish, with very broken left rear suspension. He might not be able to get that over the road section to service, so a 10-minute rally2 penalty looks likely.
Crash
Bertelli confirms that there's damage on Loeb's left rear.
Loeb is being passed by midfielders Bertelli and Protasov on the stage.
VW is going to finish Friday with a one-two-three, and with Ogier 1m45s ahead of Latvala in the rally lead.
Crash
Loeb's final split is now 4m27s off Ogier's pace. His victory bid is over, but he's pushing on towards the finish.
Crash
Meeke has now come to a halt near the end of the stage.
His time loss from the damage was up to eight minutes. That's approaching the point where the 10-minute rally2 penalty for stopping on this stage is less costly than struggling on.
His time loss from the damage was up to eight minutes. That's approaching the point where the 10-minute rally2 penalty for stopping on this stage is less costly than struggling on.
Crash
Reports from the stage suggest a problem or damage on the left rear of Loeb's Citroen.
By: AUTOSPORT staff, Scott Mitchell
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