Rally Germany, Belgian GP supports
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WRC - Germany: But Latvala strikes back! He's three tenths quicker than Ogier, so the lead is down to 1.8s.
It looked on the splits like Ogier was going to stretch his legs, but the battle is on.
It looked on the splits like Ogier was going to stretch his legs, but the battle is on.
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WRC - Germany: Ogier completes the stage sounding nonchalant: "Not bad for us, quite a good drive."
WRC - Germany: Further back, more good news for VW as Mikkelsen is a few tenths quicker than next men in Ostberg and Hirvonen.
Stopwatch
WRC - Germany: Latvala trimmed a couple of tenths back from Ogier at the first split, but now the champion is raising his game - he's another second quicker at split two.
Lights out
WRC - Germany: Onto the final stage of the morning - Moselland has begun for our leaders.
WRC - Germany: No Germans in World Rally Cars this year, and top WRC2 local Kremer has just slipped back to sixth in class but in WRC3 we have a rising home star leading.
Christian Riedemann is on top in the Junior class, 10.2s clear of Stephane Lefebvre, the first promising French driver not called Sebastien since forever.
Christian Riedemann is on top in the Junior class, 10.2s clear of Stephane Lefebvre, the first promising French driver not called Sebastien since forever.
Sebastien Ogier
WRC - Germany: Right now, VW will be very much enjoying holding a top-three sweep on its home rally.
But last year, it was in Germany that everything went horribly wrong for the squad that dominated 2013 (and all of '14 so far).
Rally Germany 2013 report
Both Ogier and Latvala crashed while leading, and Mikkelsen didn't even start when his then co-driver Mikko Markkula was diagnosed with a back injury.
That meant no VWs on the podium, and just a few points for Latvala's Rally 2-assisted seventh.
Instead it was a Citroen win, with Sordo narrowly beating Neuville's M-Sport Ford. That was the last time VW was denied a WRC win...
Citroen has never been defeated on this rally since it joined the WRC calendar in 2002, so the pressure is on Ostberg and Meeke to uphold that honour this weekend.
WRC - Germany: This rally is flying along already. The next stage is our last of Friday morning, and it's the 13.1 miles of Moselland.
That's where things went awry for Ogier 12 months ago (more on that in a moment), and he'll be pushing hard to try to extend this advantage over Latvala again.
That's where things went awry for Ogier 12 months ago (more on that in a moment), and he'll be pushing hard to try to extend this advantage over Latvala again.
WRC - Germany: There's a super-close WRC2 lead battle developing, with top four Chardonnet, Al-Attiyah, Bernando Sousa and Tanak now within 5.9s after Sousa was quickest on that stage.
Breaking news
WRC - Germany - SS2 summary:
* Ogier fastest and inches lead over Latvala up to 2.1s
* Mikkelsen and Meeke regain ground up to third and fifth
* Evans falls back from sixth to 10th
* Ogier fastest and inches lead over Latvala up to 2.1s
* Mikkelsen and Meeke regain ground up to third and fifth
* Evans falls back from sixth to 10th
Checkered flag
WRC - Germany - SS2 results:
Stage times:
1 Ogier 9m39.9s
2 Latvala +1.7s
3 Meeke +9.8s
4 Neuville +11.2s
5 Mikkelsen +11.6s
6 Hirvonen +12.0s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +2.1s
3 Mikkelsen +17.3s
4 Ostberg +17.7s
5 Meeke +18.7s
6 Sordo +19.6s
7 Hirvonen +19.9s
8 Neuville +23.0s
9 Kubica +25.4s
10 Evans +25.6s
Stage times:
1 Ogier 9m39.9s
2 Latvala +1.7s
3 Meeke +9.8s
4 Neuville +11.2s
5 Mikkelsen +11.6s
6 Hirvonen +12.0s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Latvala +2.1s
3 Mikkelsen +17.3s
4 Ostberg +17.7s
5 Meeke +18.7s
6 Sordo +19.6s
7 Hirvonen +19.9s
8 Neuville +23.0s
9 Kubica +25.4s
10 Evans +25.6s
WRC - Germany: Of course if it was muddy for drivers slightly later in the running order, it was always going to be extremely muddy by the time Sordo got there.
He's 14s slower than the leaders, drops to sixth overall and is only eighth quickest on the stage.
A fairly sweary stage-end interview ensues.
Interestingly while some drivers felt it was the leading VWs that were spreading the mud, Sordo reckons having some of the slower drivers in ahead of him made it worse.
He's 14s slower than the leaders, drops to sixth overall and is only eighth quickest on the stage.
A fairly sweary stage-end interview ensues.
Interestingly while some drivers felt it was the leading VWs that were spreading the mud, Sordo reckons having some of the slower drivers in ahead of him made it worse.
WRC - Germany: Now we're into the lull of midfielders till last year's winner Sordo appears.
Fastest so far on this stage is Ogier by 1.7s over Latvala, which pops his outright lead up to just over 2s.
Meeke, Neuville and Mikkelsen are third, fourth and fifth, but all 10s+ slower than the super-fast leaders.
Fastest so far on this stage is Ogier by 1.7s over Latvala, which pops his outright lead up to just over 2s.
Meeke, Neuville and Mikkelsen are third, fourth and fifth, but all 10s+ slower than the super-fast leaders.
WRC - Germany: No problems for Kubica, who slots into the stage times between Meeke and Evans. As everyone else is noting, the further down the start order you are, the more of your rivals' dirt you get.
"There was suddenly one braking area that was full of mud," he says.
Bouffier has also made it through safely.
"There was suddenly one braking area that was full of mud," he says.
Bouffier has also made it through safely.
WRC - Germany: Moving in the other direction is Evans.
A rapid sixth on SS1, he's slowest so far on SS2 and 10s off the likes of Meeke. He admits he was too cautious in places.
A rapid sixth on SS1, he's slowest so far on SS2 and 10s off the likes of Meeke. He admits he was too cautious in places.
WRC - Germany: It only took Neuville one stage to get back up to speed in his repaired Hyundai.
After that tentative SS1, he's just blasted through SS2 fourth-quickest so far.
After that tentative SS1, he's just blasted through SS2 fourth-quickest so far.
WRC - Germany: Meeke is third quickest, but he's 10s off Ogier's pace and also finding the stage pretty dirty as more mud is dragged onto it by cars ahead cutting corners.
"Tell me Ogier isn't complaining about his road position today!" is Meeke's first comment at the stage end.
He's not, Kris.
"Tell me Ogier isn't complaining about his road position today!" is Meeke's first comment at the stage end.
He's not, Kris.
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WRC - Germany: Hirvonen, who's just finished the stage, agrees that Ogier and Latvala are a class apart.
"Look at those two! Bloody hell! Their times are unbelievable."
"Look at those two! Bloody hell! Their times are unbelievable."
WRC - Germany: The top two Polos are a long way clear of the rest so far. Mikkelsen was 11s off his team-mates, but that's still enough to bring him ahead of Ostberg overall.
Stopwatch
WRC - Germany: Ogier and Latvala reach the end of SS1, and the Finn has lost 1.7s to his team-mate.
"It's getting quite dirty, there's quite a lot of mud at the beginning and that's where I lost it - on the muddy corners," reckons Latvala.
"After that we were really the same speed."
"It's getting quite dirty, there's quite a lot of mud at the beginning and that's where I lost it - on the muddy corners," reckons Latvala.
"After that we were really the same speed."
F1 - Belgium: Also getting going is the second half of the 2014 Formula 1 season.
Friday practice one at Spa has begun, and it's worth popping open another tab to follow AUTOSPORT GP Live to keep track of F1 events too.
Friday practice one at Spa has begun, and it's worth popping open another tab to follow AUTOSPORT GP Live to keep track of F1 events too.
Lights out
WRC - Germany: We're back under way, the leading VWs have joined the 10.2-mile Waxweiler stage.
WRC - Germany: The WRC2 pack have been through SS1 now as well, and it's reigning WRC3 champion and Citroen's next tip for the future Sebastien Chardonnet who leads.
The Frenchman is precisely one second ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah, with leading local Armin Kremer third and Ott Tanak (not an asphalt ace) in fourth.
The Frenchman is precisely one second ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah, with leading local Armin Kremer third and Ott Tanak (not an asphalt ace) in fourth.
Breaking news
WRC - Germany - SS1 summary:
* Ogier takes narrow early lead over Latvala
* Strong starts for Ostberg and Evans in third and sixth
* Sordo flies despite being miles down the start order - he's fourth on his Hyundai return
* Meeke spins and is only eighth
* Ogier takes narrow early lead over Latvala
* Strong starts for Ostberg and Evans in third and sixth
* Sordo flies despite being miles down the start order - he's fourth on his Hyundai return
* Meeke spins and is only eighth
Checkered flag
WRC - Germany - SS1 results:
1 Ogier 7m18.9s
2 Latvala +0.4s
3 Ostberg +4.0s
4 Sordo +5.3s
5 Mikkelsen +5.7s
6 Evans +6.4s
7 Hirvonen +7.9s
8 Meeke +8.9s
9 Kubica +9.1s
10 Bouffier +10.4s
1 Ogier 7m18.9s
2 Latvala +0.4s
3 Ostberg +4.0s
4 Sordo +5.3s
5 Mikkelsen +5.7s
6 Evans +6.4s
7 Hirvonen +7.9s
8 Meeke +8.9s
9 Kubica +9.1s
10 Bouffier +10.4s
Sam Moffett
WRC - Germany: This is a big morning for debutant Protasov and returnee Kuipers, but it's an even bigger morning for Irishman Sam Moffett.
Sam's doing a proper job of jumping in at the deep end as he starts his first ever WRC round in a World Rally Car.
The 24-year-old could be a dark horse, however, having shown plenty of asphalt pace in his native Ireland. Since he's been running his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, he's tackled four events – won three and finished second on the other.
He's 27s off Ogier on SS1, and that'll do for now:
"It's respectable enough. I know I'm not going to set the world alight, but I want to push hard all the same."
WRC - Germany: Dennis Kuipers is back this weekend - remember him doing a full season in a World Rally Car in 2011 with the FERM Ford?
Since then he's only managed a couple of isolated outings. He's a fair way off the pace on SS1 as you'd expect.
Since then he's only managed a couple of isolated outings. He's a fair way off the pace on SS1 as you'd expect.
WRC - Germany: The reason Sordo is miles down the running order is that cars start in championship order on day one, and the Spaniard is currently on zero points.
This is only his fourth appearance of the year in his part-time Hyundai programme, and he's retired from every rally he's done in 2014 so far.
This is only his fourth appearance of the year in his part-time Hyundai programme, and he's retired from every rally he's done in 2014 so far.
WRC - Germany: Yuriy Protasov has also finished the stage. The WRC2 title contender is out in a World Rally Car for the first time this weekend.
WRC - Germany: We were wise to wait - Sordo grabs fourth, which is pretty brilliant considering he's running on filthy roads now, and is in the still-developing Hyundai.
He's 5.3s off the lead.
He's 5.3s off the lead.
WRC - Germany: Normally we'd be heading into the stragglers and privateers now so we'd probably be giving you an order rundown, but we're holding off as last year's winner Dani Sordo - back in Hyundai action this weekend - is a long way down the start order and we definitely want to see his pace...
WRC - Germany: Robert Kubica starts his rally smoothly with the eighth fastest time, just behind spinner Meeke.
WRC - Germany: Next through is Hyundai's latest newcomer Bryan Bouffier, who has his first WRC outing in the team's third car this weekend after being part of the i20 test programme.
"The stage is completed and I didn't crash it - so it's quite a good start!" he jokes.
He's happy with the car so far, though he says the running order position isn't great as drivers ahead are - as expected - bringing a lot of dirt onto the roads as they cut the corners.
The last time we saw Bouffier on asphalt (well, icy asphalt at least), was in Monte Carlo, when he stunned the service park by leading in an M-Sport Ford and finishing second to Ogier.
"The stage is completed and I didn't crash it - so it's quite a good start!" he jokes.
He's happy with the car so far, though he says the running order position isn't great as drivers ahead are - as expected - bringing a lot of dirt onto the roads as they cut the corners.
The last time we saw Bouffier on asphalt (well, icy asphalt at least), was in Monte Carlo, when he stunned the service park by leading in an M-Sport Ford and finishing second to Ogier.
WRC - Germany: Prokop says he had issues with his brakes on that stage. He slips in just ahead of Neuville.
WRC - Germany: Next man in Martin Prokop is a man unlikely to be opening his door too often this morning.
The Czech Republic driver's recce for the rally was interrupted when a wasp flew into his car, rested inside his driving glove and then stung him.
Prokop suffered an allergic reaction and was taken to hospital. Fortunately, he's all fine now and ready to emulate his best ever WRC result when he was fourth here in Germany last year.
He'd prefer that to 2012, when a fire gutted his Fiesta.
The Czech Republic driver's recce for the rally was interrupted when a wasp flew into his car, rested inside his driving glove and then stung him.
Prokop suffered an allergic reaction and was taken to hospital. Fortunately, he's all fine now and ready to emulate his best ever WRC result when he was fourth here in Germany last year.
He'd prefer that to 2012, when a fire gutted his Fiesta.
WRC - Germany: Great start from Elfyn Evans, who is fifth fastest so far, putting him between Mikkelsen and Hirvonen.
That makes Evans both top Brit and top M-Sport Ford for now - and he says that was actually a bit of a disappointing time as he was "a bit scrappy".
That makes Evans both top Brit and top M-Sport Ford for now - and he says that was actually a bit of a disappointing time as he was "a bit scrappy".
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WRC - Germany: Last year Neuville ended up in a huge battle for victory with Dani Sordo on this event.
This year he's relieved just to be in the event after yesterday's massive roll at the shakedown.
"I really have to say a big thanks to the whole team," he says.
"I'm so happy to be back in the car. They worked all night.
"Now it's my turn to do the job."
The Belgian is slowest so far, 11.8s off Ogier, but that's partly due to his handbrake only working intermittently.
This year he's relieved just to be in the event after yesterday's massive roll at the shakedown.
"I really have to say a big thanks to the whole team," he says.
"I'm so happy to be back in the car. They worked all night.
"Now it's my turn to do the job."
The Belgian is slowest so far, 11.8s off Ogier, but that's partly due to his handbrake only working intermittently.
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WRC - Germany: "I had a spin at the mid-point of the stage," Meeke explains.
"I came around a tight right and at the edge of the road there was some gravel and I got a rear wheel on it.
"Not the start I wanted, but I was calm everywhere else. It's a long rally.
"The car is running perfectly, it was just a spin. We'll have a look on the road section but it seems OK."
That incident has cost him 8.9s to leader Ogier.
"I came around a tight right and at the edge of the road there was some gravel and I got a rear wheel on it.
"Not the start I wanted, but I was calm everywhere else. It's a long rally.
"The car is running perfectly, it was just a spin. We'll have a look on the road section but it seems OK."
That incident has cost him 8.9s to leader Ogier.
Crash
WRC - Germany: Kris Meeke completes the stage with damage at the rear of his Citroen... not a good start for man tipped for something special this weekend...
Crash
WRC - Germany: Mikko Hirvonen is slowest through so far in the first of the many M-Sport Fords on this rally.
His 7m26.8s is 8s down on leader Ogier, and is courtesy of a brief trip into a field under braking that has scooped up a lot of grass into his Fiesta.
His 7m26.8s is 8s down on leader Ogier, and is courtesy of a brief trip into a field under braking that has scooped up a lot of grass into his Fiesta.
By: Matt Beer, David Evans, AUTOSPORT staff, Gary Watkins, Dan Cross, Charles Bradley, Kevin Turner
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