Rally GB, Macau GP, Bahrain WEC, NASCAR finale
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WRC - GB: Ostberg is now in. His time hasn't popped up yet but he notes that it's surprising how much tougher Dyfi is than Gartheiniog for stage conditions with the rain coming down now.
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WRC - GB: Next man through Neuville isn't happy with himself:
"I wasn't in the rhythm from the startline onwards. I was getting the splits, and they weren't very good.
"And they moved the finish line from the recce, so I backed off too soon."
"I wasn't in the rhythm from the startline onwards. I was getting the splits, and they weren't very good.
"And they moved the finish line from the recce, so I backed off too soon."
WRC - GB: Mikkelsen's delay on that stage was just over 2m40s to Ogier, which would drop him outside the top 30, but if the Polo's too badly damaged to continue, that's irrelevant anyway.
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WRC - GB: Meeke's verdict on the roads:
"It's definitely getting more slippery and it's really difficult to judge the braking.
"You think you're a little girl braking early, then all of a sudden the grip disappears."
Asked if he agreed with Neuville that the finish line was further away than expected, Meeke agrees that it's definitely moved, but says he "always makes notes for 500 metres beyond the stage end because I've had that situation before..."
And now Evans says the finish line is in the right place, so there you go.
"It's definitely getting more slippery and it's really difficult to judge the braking.
"You think you're a little girl braking early, then all of a sudden the grip disappears."
Asked if he agreed with Neuville that the finish line was further away than expected, Meeke agrees that it's definitely moved, but says he "always makes notes for 500 metres beyond the stage end because I've had that situation before..."
And now Evans says the finish line is in the right place, so there you go.
WRC - GB: With the frontrunners through, the lead order at present is Ogier ahead of Latvala, then Ostberg and Hirvonen in 'best of the rest' mode.
Volvo
WRC - GB: Rally GB’s not all about Sebastien Ogier and his factory Volkswagen Polo… next stop for German Jochen Waltherthis’s Volvo 940 is Gartheiniog.
Brave man.
WRC - GB: Kubica is still trailing the field, at least the element of the field that hasn't crashed into a ditch. He's over half a minute off the pace on SS2 and admits he just hasn't got the experience to judge these slippery conditions.
Breaking news
WRC - GB: Meeke was rumbled for a jump-start on SS2 and has a 10s penalty added to his time. That drops him back to seventh.
Checkered flag
WRC - GB - SS2 results:
Stage times:
1 Ogier 12m25.9s
2 Latvala +4.3s
3 Hirvonen +13.1s
4 Ostberg +13.9s
5 Meeke +14.9s
6 Evans +17.3s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +8.9s
3 Ostberg +21.7s
4 Hirvonen +23.1s
5 Neuville +28.2s
6 Evans +32.8s
7 Meeke +35.4s
8 Hanninen +37.4s
9 Solberg +48.7s
10 Paddon +52.2s
Kubica is 13th and we wait to see what's going to happen with Mikkelsen's damaged VW.
Stage times:
1 Ogier 12m25.9s
2 Latvala +4.3s
3 Hirvonen +13.1s
4 Ostberg +13.9s
5 Meeke +14.9s
6 Evans +17.3s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +8.9s
3 Ostberg +21.7s
4 Hirvonen +23.1s
5 Neuville +28.2s
6 Evans +32.8s
7 Meeke +35.4s
8 Hanninen +37.4s
9 Solberg +48.7s
10 Paddon +52.2s
Kubica is 13th and we wait to see what's going to happen with Mikkelsen's damaged VW.
Breaking news
WRC - GB: That's it for day one for Mikkelsen, he's out of Friday and though VW expects him to be back under Rally2 tomorrow, there's no hope of a win or podium now.
He's going to have to wait until 2015 for that elusive first WRC win, which many suspected he might have grabbed this weekend.
He's going to have to wait until 2015 for that elusive first WRC win, which many suspected he might have grabbed this weekend.
WEC - Bahrain: Jani is on top again as FP3 draws to a close. He's banged in a 1m43.5s aboard the #14 919 Hybrid, which eclipsed Wurz's 1m44.710s at the top of the times by 1.1s!
Andreas Mikkelsen
WRC - GB: We've just come across a picture of Andreas Mikkelsen practicing his "argh, I've crashed out on SS2" face yesterday. See how that shakedown grimace tempted fate.
We have one of Latvala practicing his "argh I've lost 9s to Ogier" face too.
WRC - GB: We have a huge pack of British stars out in WRC2 machinery this weekend, but it's a Finn leading the way in the secondary car right now.
Jari Ketomaa has already pulled clear of the field in his DMACK-shod Ford.
Ketomaa needs a win to grab the class title from Nasser Al-Attiyah, for whom seventh place will do. Al-Attiyah is currently fifth.
Jari Ketomaa has already pulled clear of the field in his DMACK-shod Ford.
Ketomaa needs a win to grab the class title from Nasser Al-Attiyah, for whom seventh place will do. Al-Attiyah is currently fifth.
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WRC - GB: Jari-Matti Lavala is providing stage guides for us today, and here are his thoughts on Hafren Sweet Lamb, which is next up in just under five minutes:
"Hafren is generally more twisty than the first two stages, but the thing here is that the grip is changing more often.
"The base surface is more like rock, I think you call is slate, which can be much more slippery when it gets wet. And I think it will be wet.
"I remember a couple of years ago when I was here (and winning) in the Fiesta. We had such bad understeer, I couldn't get the car to turn in, but it was just because of the surface of the road – it's so slippery.
"Of course, the end of this stage is also including the Sweet Lamb section. This is good for the spectators and a nice challenge for us as well. There is one big downhill section where it's always a little moment wondering: 'Will the car stop this time?' I hope it does!"
"Hafren is generally more twisty than the first two stages, but the thing here is that the grip is changing more often.
"The base surface is more like rock, I think you call is slate, which can be much more slippery when it gets wet. And I think it will be wet.
"I remember a couple of years ago when I was here (and winning) in the Fiesta. We had such bad understeer, I couldn't get the car to turn in, but it was just because of the surface of the road – it's so slippery.
"Of course, the end of this stage is also including the Sweet Lamb section. This is good for the spectators and a nice challenge for us as well. There is one big downhill section where it's always a little moment wondering: 'Will the car stop this time?' I hope it does!"
WEC - Bahrain: The #1 Audi wasn't out in that session. The reason? It is being rebuilt around a second fresh monocoque in two days.
The R18 was found to have damage to the tub after an inspection following FP3 last night. The team opted not to give its mechanics a second all-nighter in a row, which means the car will also miss qualifying this evening.
The R18 was found to have damage to the tub after an inspection following FP3 last night. The team opted not to give its mechanics a second all-nighter in a row, which means the car will also miss qualifying this evening.
WRC - GB: If you're just joining us this morning, it's Ogier leading Latvala up front, then a gap back to Ostberg and Hirvonen.
Meeke is seventh, but would be higher but for a jump-start penalty on SS2.
Mikkelsen was second after SS1, then crashed on SS2.
Meeke is seventh, but would be higher but for a jump-start penalty on SS2.
Mikkelsen was second after SS1, then crashed on SS2.
Felix Rosenqvist
F3 - Macau: The official starting grid for tomorrow's qualifying race leg of the Macau GP has now been published and added to MARCUS SIMMONS' full report of how Felix Rosenqvist claimed pole:
Macau F3 GP qualifying two report
WRC - GB: Absolutely equal times from Ogier and Latvala on the first part of the 14-mile Hafren stage.
WRC - GB: Latvala is emphatically coming back at Ogier as Hafren goes on, taking 4s out of his team-mate at the middle splits. That could halve Ogier's lead.
Stopwatch
WRC - GB: Not quite so good for Latvala as he completes the stage, he only gains 2.2s.
But that's still the first time he's outpaced Ogier today, and it pegs the champion's rally lead back to 6.7s.
But that's still the first time he's outpaced Ogier today, and it pegs the champion's rally lead back to 6.7s.
Crash
WRC - GB: Drama for Hanninen on Hafren now, he's stopped on the stage and Hyundai says it's because we went off into a ditch.
WRC - GB: The Citroens are best of the rest behind the remaining VWs so far on SS3, the evenly-matched Ostberg and Meeke coming in 10s down on Latvala, and 3s ahead of Hirvonen and Neuville.
That helps further establish Ostberg in third. He's half a minute away from the lead already but only 6s ahead of Hirvonen.
That helps further establish Ostberg in third. He's half a minute away from the lead already but only 6s ahead of Hirvonen.
WRC - GB: The Brits have swapped place on SS3, Evans falls back to seventh behind Meeke as the Citroen man continues his recovery from the jump-start penalty.
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WRC - GB: As was the case with Gartheiniog and Dyfi earlier, Hafren Sweet Lamb and Maesnant are near neighbours, so Ogier is already onto SS4, the last of our morning.
Here's Latvala's description of Maesnant, which at a touch under eight miles is our shortest stage of the day:
"This is the south section of Hafren. There are places where I have been in this stage, bits that I have used – but not like this before.
"On the recce this stage was really quite muddy. The characteristic is nice, flowing corners, but the grip level will change a lot from not very much to even less! There was a lot of mud on the top."
Here's Latvala's description of Maesnant, which at a touch under eight miles is our shortest stage of the day:
"This is the south section of Hafren. There are places where I have been in this stage, bits that I have used – but not like this before.
"On the recce this stage was really quite muddy. The characteristic is nice, flowing corners, but the grip level will change a lot from not very much to even less! There was a lot of mud on the top."
Breaking news
WRC - GB: There was a one-minute delay to the start of SS4, and it was due to the officials' 'zero car' that runs through before the competing field having gone off the road.
So that's a hint that it's slippery.
So that's a hint that it's slippery.
WRC - GB: Kubica is the latest driver through SS3. He's still at the foot of the times, but a lot closer to the pace on that one than had been the case earlier.
Stopwatch
WRC - GB: After that little surge from Latvala on SS3, Ogier has struck back on SS4 and gone two seconds quicker.
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WRC - GB: Latvala explains what went wrong:
"I did a mistake at the first junction, I kind of overshot and loses four or five seconds. I'm kind of annoyed with that."
He also predicts that someone is going to crash at the final corner, which is "really slippery".
"I did a mistake at the first junction, I kind of overshot and loses four or five seconds. I'm kind of annoyed with that."
He also predicts that someone is going to crash at the final corner, which is "really slippery".
Macau Grand Prix: Time for a few little stories from the Macau Grand Prix, where qualifying finished earlier today. First of all, we're going to begin with a little tale about AUTOSPORT's lanky F3 journo and deputy ed Marcus Simmons, who's been filing his reports with his right arm in plaster. Why? Within hours of arriving in Macau, he fell over on a slippery pavement, flailed around uselessly for a couple of seconds and then divebombed the pavement with his right wrist. He spent Wednesday afternoon in hospital having the broken bone set, and has been the subject of ridicule for the whole week since. Unluckily he's right-handed; luckily he can still type, and can't write any cheques for a few weeks as he can't hold a pen...
Macau Grand Prix: Macau action had hardly kicked off when two of the big stars of the event - Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen - were penalised two places on the grid for not stopping at the weighbridge red light in free practice. Max's dad Jos, who never raced here, quipped: "I think they're trying to make the race more exciting."
WRC - GB: Hirvonen declared at the end of the stage that he reckoned he'd taken a bit of time back from Ostberg on that one. He was right, he's closed the battle for third down to 4s.
"That's a proper Wales stage," says Ostberg.
"He's one place better on the road and that helps on a stage like this."
Asked about the tricky final corner, Ostberg adds: "In my opinion it's dangerous - there's a big drop and it's completely covered in mud"
"That's a proper Wales stage," says Ostberg.
"He's one place better on the road and that helps on a stage like this."
Asked about the tricky final corner, Ostberg adds: "In my opinion it's dangerous - there's a big drop and it's completely covered in mud"
Checkered flag
WRC - GB: Full times are in for the WRC field from the previous stage now, so...
SS3 results:
Stage times:
1 Latvala 13m39.1s
2 Ogier +2.2s
3 Ostberg +12.1s
4 Meeke +12.8s
5 Neuville +16.4s
6 Hirvonen +17.0s
Leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +6.7s
3 Ostberg +31.6s
4 Hirvonen +37.9s
5 Neuville +42.4s
6 Meeke +46.0s
7 Evans +53.8s
8 Tanak +1m12.6s
9 Solberg +1m15.0s
10 Paddon +1m16.8s
SS3 results:
Stage times:
1 Latvala 13m39.1s
2 Ogier +2.2s
3 Ostberg +12.1s
4 Meeke +12.8s
5 Neuville +16.4s
6 Hirvonen +17.0s
Leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +6.7s
3 Ostberg +31.6s
4 Hirvonen +37.9s
5 Neuville +42.4s
6 Meeke +46.0s
7 Evans +53.8s
8 Tanak +1m12.6s
9 Solberg +1m15.0s
10 Paddon +1m16.8s
Macau Grand Prix: Tom Blomqvist was mystified to not improve on his overnight pole time during Friday's qualifying session. He couldn't get comfortable with the balance. He's equally mystified as to where he might start tomorrow. With Ocon's and Verstappen's penalties Blomqvist should move up to third, but there's confusion over whether they will be applied simultaneously or chronologically - if it's the latter, then he may only move up to fourth.
WRC - GB: Meeke is third quickest on SS4 and that's brought him past Neuville into sixth place.
Meeke agrees that running further down the order isn't great as the mud gets worse the more cars come through it, but he doesn't begrudge leader Ogier: "he's the world champion, he's got a great car and he's done well here, so he deserves it."
One thing that Meeke does begrudge is his jump-start penalty from SS1, which he insists cannot be correct. If it didn't exist, he'd be only 2.2s off Ostberg's third place.
Meeke agrees that running further down the order isn't great as the mud gets worse the more cars come through it, but he doesn't begrudge leader Ogier: "he's the world champion, he's got a great car and he's done well here, so he deserves it."
One thing that Meeke does begrudge is his jump-start penalty from SS1, which he insists cannot be correct. If it didn't exist, he'd be only 2.2s off Ostberg's third place.
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WRC - GB: DAVID EVANS has just been quite literally chasing Mikkelsen back through the roads of Wales to service after the VW man's early retirement. Along the way, Mikkelsen overshot a junction in the middle of Newtown and had to briskly turn the Polo around.
Once our man had caught him, here's how Mikkelsen described his crash:
"I saw Ogier's time on the first one and knew I had to push hard on the second stage because today was the big day to stay in touch so I could have an equal road position to him tomorrow.
"But I was just too quick into a left-hander. I braked too late, the back of the car went into the dicth and then pulled the front of the car in so it broke a steering arm."
Incidentally, Mikkelsen was having to shield his eyes from the sunshine during that conversation. That seemed unlikely during the rain a few hours ago.
The only damage to the car is to the bumper and the steering arm, and driving it back to service gently was no problem, but it couldn't have been rallied at a competitive pace because the steering arm wouldn't have taken it.
Once our man had caught him, here's how Mikkelsen described his crash:
"I saw Ogier's time on the first one and knew I had to push hard on the second stage because today was the big day to stay in touch so I could have an equal road position to him tomorrow.
"But I was just too quick into a left-hander. I braked too late, the back of the car went into the dicth and then pulled the front of the car in so it broke a steering arm."
Incidentally, Mikkelsen was having to shield his eyes from the sunshine during that conversation. That seemed unlikely during the rain a few hours ago.
The only damage to the car is to the bumper and the steering arm, and driving it back to service gently was no problem, but it couldn't have been rallied at a competitive pace because the steering arm wouldn't have taken it.
WRC - GB: Problems for Henning Solberg on SS4, his Ford's engine keeps lapsing onto three cylinders and that's dropped him behind Paddon and Prokop to what is currently 10th on the leaderboard with a few more cars to come in.
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WRC - GB: Kubica's description of Maesnant suggests his time won't be spectacular when it pops onto the board, and sure enough it's slowest so far, just behind Solberg:
"I had a spin into the tight hairpin, and then another one. As soon as I was correcting one corner, I was straight into the braking for another one. And then I went onto the wrong road and had to reverse, so it was a disaster..."
"I had a spin into the tight hairpin, and then another one. As soon as I was correcting one corner, I was straight into the braking for another one. And then I went onto the wrong road and had to reverse, so it was a disaster..."
Checkered flag
WRC - GB - SS4 results:
Stage times:
1 Ogier 7m52.6s
2 Latvala +2.8s
3 Meeke +6.3s
4 Hirvonen +6.7s
5 Ostberg +8.5s
6 Neuville +10.5s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +9.5s
3 Ostberg +40.1s
4 Hirvonen +44.6s
5 Meeke +52.3s
6 Neuville +52.9s
7 Evans +1m06.4s
8 Tanak +1m31.4s
9 Paddon +1m40.3s
10 Prokop +1m41.2s
Stage times:
1 Ogier 7m52.6s
2 Latvala +2.8s
3 Meeke +6.3s
4 Hirvonen +6.7s
5 Ostberg +8.5s
6 Neuville +10.5s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +9.5s
3 Ostberg +40.1s
4 Hirvonen +44.6s
5 Meeke +52.3s
6 Neuville +52.9s
7 Evans +1m06.4s
8 Tanak +1m31.4s
9 Paddon +1m40.3s
10 Prokop +1m41.2s
WRC - GB: The WRC field are now heading for remote service in Newtown before repeating those four stages this afternoon.
We'll keep you posted with any news from service, and with more details of DAVID EVANS's adventures in Wales, and also have plenty more to come from our team in the Macau paddock over the next few hours.
We'll keep you posted with any news from service, and with more details of DAVID EVANS's adventures in Wales, and also have plenty more to come from our team in the Macau paddock over the next few hours.
Breaking news
WTCC - Macau: Pepe Oriola's participation in this weekend's Macau WTCC races is in doubt following his accident in qualifying on Friday afternoon.
The Campos team are working on the Cruze, but a parts shortage could rule out the Spaniard's efforts to make the grid.
The Campos team are working on the Cruze, but a parts shortage could rule out the Spaniard's efforts to make the grid.
By: AUTOSPORT staff, Peter Mills, Gary Watkins, Marcus Simmons, Jonathan Noble
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