Rally Mexico, WTCC opener
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WRC - Mexico: Fourth-quickest time for Evans, who has been incredibly consistent on this rally as he looks to match his career-best result. Sordo's nowhere near him on this stage.
Protasov has stopped again...
Protasov has stopped again...
WRC - Mexico: Sordo's in, and he's slower than Meeke - 51.8s off the pace.
He had a front-left puncture on the previous stage and had to manage the spare which was a soft tyre.
He had a front-left puncture on the previous stage and had to manage the spare which was a soft tyre.
WRC - Mexico: Looks like Sordo's lost some of his front bumper as well. And that's the main frontrunners finished for SS16.
Checkered flag
WRC - Mexico: The next stage is already under way, Kubica unsurprisingly slower than Paddon. We're going to drop into end-of-stage updates now, rather than regular commentary.
Here is the SS16 result:
1 Ostberg 29m30.0s
2 Mikkelsen +1.1s
3 Ogier +1.7s
4 Neuville +16.0s
5 Evans +20.2s
6 Prokop +47.4s
And the overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier 3h25m35.3s
2 Ostberg +1m12.2s
3 Mikkelsen +1m18.2s
4 Evans +2m17.1s
5 Sordo +4m00.8s
6 Prokop +4m25.9s
Here is the SS16 result:
1 Ostberg 29m30.0s
2 Mikkelsen +1.1s
3 Ogier +1.7s
4 Neuville +16.0s
5 Evans +20.2s
6 Prokop +47.4s
And the overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier 3h25m35.3s
2 Ostberg +1m12.2s
3 Mikkelsen +1m18.2s
4 Evans +2m17.1s
5 Sordo +4m00.8s
6 Prokop +4m25.9s
WRC - Mexico: Still around? Want to see more astonishing Ott Tanak footage from his remarkable lake crash?
Checkered flag
WRC - Mexico: The five-mile SS17 blast that is El Brinco is complete. This was the live TV stage earlier. Punctures for Meeke and Kubica to contend with.
Leading times from SS17:
1 Ogier 4m34.6s
2 Mikkelsen +2.1s
3 Ostberg +2.4s
4 Neuville +3.2s
5 Meeke +7.3s
6 Evans +8.8s
Leading times from SS17:
1 Ogier 4m34.6s
2 Mikkelsen +2.1s
3 Ostberg +2.4s
4 Neuville +3.2s
5 Meeke +7.3s
6 Evans +8.8s
Checkered flag
WRC - Mexico: And here's what it means for the sharp end of the leaderboard:
1 Ogier 3h30m09.9s
2 Ostberg +1m14.6s
3 Mikkelsen +1m20.3s
4 Evans +2m25.9s
5 Sordo +4m10.6s
What about Neuville, Kubica and Meeke?
Neuville +22m23.3s
Meeke +51m06.2s
Kubica +55m02.8s
1 Ogier 3h30m09.9s
2 Ostberg +1m14.6s
3 Mikkelsen +1m20.3s
4 Evans +2m25.9s
5 Sordo +4m10.6s
What about Neuville, Kubica and Meeke?
Neuville +22m23.3s
Meeke +51m06.2s
Kubica +55m02.8s
WRC - Mexico: Paddon and Kubica begin the Saturday-closing superspecial.
We'll bring you the results over the next half hour.
We'll bring you the results over the next half hour.
WRC - Mexico: First blood to Kubica, 4.3s quicker than Paddon.
WRC - Mexico: Neuville comfortably defeats Meeke, and goes 0.6s quicker than Kubica as well.
WRC - Mexico: Guerra versus Ogier, and unsurprisingly it's the world champion who comes out on top.
He also goes quickest by half a second.
He also goes quickest by half a second.
WRC - Mexico: And in the battle between Mikkelsen and Ostberg, the VW triumphs. He's 1.2s quicker than Ostberg, and nicks the quickest time from Ogier by 0.6s.
WRC - Mexico: Sordo beats Evans, and is only 0.6s behind Mikkelsen. And, with Prokop v Al-Attiyah to come, that's essentially your lot for the day.
WRC - Mexico: That's it then. Prokop nails his superspecial run to go quicker than Meeke and Evans and consolidate sixth overall.
Thanks very much for your company today, and we'll be back here at around 15:30 GMT on Sunday.
Speaking of which, here's the situation heading into the final day:
Ogier leads, Ostberg and Mikkelsen fight behind
Thanks very much for your company today, and we'll be back here at around 15:30 GMT on Sunday.
Speaking of which, here's the situation heading into the final day:
Ogier leads, Ostberg and Mikkelsen fight behind
Sebastien Ogier Rally Mexico 2015
Hello, and welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live's coverage of Rally Mexico and the World Touring Car Championship opener in Argentina.
Rallying takes centre stage first. The final three stages await Sebastien Ogier and co, kicking off with Guanajuatito in about 20 minutes time.
Rallying takes centre stage first. The final three stages await Sebastien Ogier and co, kicking off with Guanajuatito in about 20 minutes time.
Quote
WRC - Mexico: Here's how the conclusion will go down.
First, we've got the aforementioned 34.6-mile test that is Guanajuatito. Kris Meeke's co-driver Paul Nagle is your guide.
"This is the longest stage of the rally at 34.6 miles, but it takes in 6.2 miles of SS11, 9.3 of another stage and then 4.3 miles of Otates from yesterday.
"The last 6.2 miles hasn't been used driven this weekend and is very, very fast with a big jump. It's a real jigsaw this one. Once you start the stage, you come across a finish, a start, another finish and then the finish of the stage you started on… this one can be quite a complicated one for the co-drivers.
"With so many different sections of so many different stages, you piece the notes for the 34 miles together. Obviously there is a risk associated with this, but it’s still the best way.
"In fairness it sounds tricky, but when you’re in there it all makes sense."
After that, it's Derramadero and the televised El Brinco powerstage. Nagle will give you a bit of insight to both a little later on.
First, we've got the aforementioned 34.6-mile test that is Guanajuatito. Kris Meeke's co-driver Paul Nagle is your guide.
"This is the longest stage of the rally at 34.6 miles, but it takes in 6.2 miles of SS11, 9.3 of another stage and then 4.3 miles of Otates from yesterday.
"The last 6.2 miles hasn't been used driven this weekend and is very, very fast with a big jump. It's a real jigsaw this one. Once you start the stage, you come across a finish, a start, another finish and then the finish of the stage you started on… this one can be quite a complicated one for the co-drivers.
"With so many different sections of so many different stages, you piece the notes for the 34 miles together. Obviously there is a risk associated with this, but it’s still the best way.
"In fairness it sounds tricky, but when you’re in there it all makes sense."
After that, it's Derramadero and the televised El Brinco powerstage. Nagle will give you a bit of insight to both a little later on.
WRC - Mexico: We'll give you a proper refresh of what's in store for the finale to the third round of the 2015 World Rally Championship shortly.
But first, something we cannot ignore. Ott Tanak's return.
The Estonian's never been so popular, though it's for circumstances he and his M-Sport team would probably rather have avoided.
That said, crashing into a lake has its advantages. And as DAVID EVANS snapped, M-Sport’s PR genius Anna Rudd has masterminded a belting PR campaign off the back of a near tragedy on Friday.
Though, that was achievable because she may have relied on WRC Live’s Becs Williams to come up with the TiTanak tag line...
Don't let go, Ott.
But first, something we cannot ignore. Ott Tanak's return.
The Estonian's never been so popular, though it's for circumstances he and his M-Sport team would probably rather have avoided.
That said, crashing into a lake has its advantages. And as DAVID EVANS snapped, M-Sport’s PR genius Anna Rudd has masterminded a belting PR campaign off the back of a near tragedy on Friday.
Though, that was achievable because she may have relied on WRC Live’s Becs Williams to come up with the TiTanak tag line...
Don't let go, Ott.
WRC - Mexico: Right, rally action - which Tanak will resume today, albeit with a pretty gargantuan penalty.
There's a spectacular bit of in-car footage in our report from yesterday evening, which you can read here. That also details the most exciting part of the rally remaining - the fight between Mads Ostberg and Andreas Mikkelsen for second.
Ogier leads, fierce fight for second
There's a spectacular bit of in-car footage in our report from yesterday evening, which you can read here. That also details the most exciting part of the rally remaining - the fight between Mads Ostberg and Andreas Mikkelsen for second.
Ogier leads, fierce fight for second
WRC - Mexico: The reason we're playing up everything else on offer is Sebastien Ogier leads, and he's got this wrapped up.
Or has he? Anything can happen on this behemoth of a stage coming up next. And Ogier has previous.
In 2011 he led team-mate Sebastien Loeb by 10.5s into the final day before crashing out.
That was a pretty eventful rally. Ogier had led most of day one, but lost time by running first on day two. He regained the lead when Loeb was penalised for being late due to gearbox issue, before throwing it away.
Or has he? Anything can happen on this behemoth of a stage coming up next. And Ogier has previous.
In 2011 he led team-mate Sebastien Loeb by 10.5s into the final day before crashing out.
That was a pretty eventful rally. Ogier had led most of day one, but lost time by running first on day two. He regained the lead when Loeb was penalised for being late due to gearbox issue, before throwing it away.
WRC - Mexico: Hello Ott Tanak, good to see you again!
The Estonian kicks off SS19. The final day of Rally Mexico begins!
The Estonian kicks off SS19. The final day of Rally Mexico begins!
WTCC - Argentina: News that will cheer fans of the underdogs; Campos Racing's mechanics have worked through the night and Hugo Valente's Chevrolet Cruze – beaten about and mildly toasted after brake failure in practice yesterday - will be ready for today's races. Just the windscreen left to change.
WRC - Mexico: Lorenzo Bertelli makes it two Fords on the stage.
Here's a reminder of the running order thereafter: Paddon; Meeke; Latvala; Guerra; Neuville; Prokop; Sordo; Evans; Mikkelsen; Ostberg; Ogier.
Here's a reminder of the running order thereafter: Paddon; Meeke; Latvala; Guerra; Neuville; Prokop; Sordo; Evans; Mikkelsen; Ostberg; Ogier.
WRC - Mexico: Kubica starts his run, as Tanak clocks in at the first split in 5m06.3s.
WRC - Mexico: Bertelli's 3.2s slower than Tanak at the first split, so not only is the Estonian back - but M-Sport has given him a competitive car to boot. We shouldn't be surprised, but it's still an impressive feat.
Paddon starts.
Paddon starts.
WRC - Mexico: Kubica is a second up on Tanak at the first split, while Bertelli is 11.1s behind at split two.
Paddon, meanwhile, blitzes the lot at the first split - he's 8.2s quicker than Tanak at split one.
Paddon, meanwhile, blitzes the lot at the first split - he's 8.2s quicker than Tanak at split one.
WRC - Mexico: Meeke's started the stage, as has the returning Latvala.
Meeke's quicker than Paddon at the first split, while at split two Kubica's 4.6s to the good against Tanak.
Meeke's quicker than Paddon at the first split, while at split two Kubica's 4.6s to the good against Tanak.
WRC - Mexico: Guerra and Neuville have started their runs.
Latvala's slower than Meeke and Paddon at the first split. That duo continues to run considerably quicker than the quartet ahead.
Latvala's slower than Meeke and Paddon at the first split. That duo continues to run considerably quicker than the quartet ahead.
WRC - Mexico: Prokop joins the fun, with Sordo not far away.
Paddon's 25s quicker than Tanak at the third split. Latvala's a touch quicker than the Hyundai one point earlier in the stage.
Neuville crosses the first splt point, and he's half a second up on Meeke.
Paddon's 25s quicker than Tanak at the third split. Latvala's a touch quicker than the Hyundai one point earlier in the stage.
Neuville crosses the first splt point, and he's half a second up on Meeke.
WRC - Mexico: Looks like Bertelli's stopped on stage.
Sordo's started. Currently Meeke and Neuville are setting the pace, with Paddon and Latvala just a bit behind them.
Sordo's started. Currently Meeke and Neuville are setting the pace, with Paddon and Latvala just a bit behind them.
WRC - Mexico: Tanak's into the final part of the stage now, and we've got two M-Sport Fords on SS19 now as Evans gets his run under way.
Neuville's 1.8s quicker than Meeke at split two. Latvala's found time as he approaches the halfway point, he's quicker than Meeke and Paddon.
Neuville's 1.8s quicker than Meeke at split two. Latvala's found time as he approaches the halfway point, he's quicker than Meeke and Paddon.
WRC - Mexico: And the real intrigue of Rally Mexico begins as Andreas Mikkelsen starts his run.
He's 5.7s behind Mads Ostberg in the fight for second, remember.
He's 5.7s behind Mads Ostberg in the fight for second, remember.
WRC - Mexico: Ostberg starts the stage. Game on!
Looking at the splits, Latvala continues to outpace Meeke. He's also closed in on Neuville's respective split time as well at the halfway mark.
Looking at the splits, Latvala continues to outpace Meeke. He's also closed in on Neuville's respective split time as well at the halfway mark.
Stopwatch
WRC - Mexico: Tanak finishes the stage. Well done M-Sport.
The Estonian stops the clock at 37m24.7s.
Mikkelsen's first split time is not that great.
The Estonian stops the clock at 37m24.7s.
Mikkelsen's first split time is not that great.
WRC - Mexico: With Bertelli stopped on the stage, Kubica will be next through. We're expecting him to be a good deal quicker than Tanak.
Latvala and Neuville will be very close. They are more than a minute quicker than Tanak at the fifth split point.
Latvala and Neuville will be very close. They are more than a minute quicker than Tanak at the fifth split point.
WRC - Mexico: Ostberg is much quicker than Mikkelsen at the first split, 4.7s in fact.
Andreas will have to pull his finger out if he's to take second on this rally.
Andreas will have to pull his finger out if he's to take second on this rally.
WRC - Mexico: The rally leader, double world champion Ogier, is on the stage.
Stopwatch
WRC - Mexico: Kubica's in, 41.6s quicker than Tanak.
Tanak says finishing the stage is an incredible feeling, though they have a small issue with the steering wheel.
Tanak says finishing the stage is an incredible feeling, though they have a small issue with the steering wheel.
WRC - Mexico: Much better time from split one to split two from Mikkelsen, who leaps from sixth quickest at the first marker to quickest at the next.
Stopwatch
WRC - Mexico: Paddon's in, 34.7s quicker than Kubica.
The next gaps should be a bit closer.
The next gaps should be a bit closer.
WRC - Mexico: Mikkelsen's efforts mean that when Ostberg clocks in at the second split point, the Citroen's only 3.6s faster. So that's 1.1s gained back from the disappointing start to the stage.
Ogier's in at the first split, 2.9s quicker than Mikkelsen but not as fast as Ostberg.
Ogier's in at the first split, 2.9s quicker than Mikkelsen but not as fast as Ostberg.
By: AUTOSPORT staff, David Evans, Stuart Codling, Scott Mitchell
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