Rally Sweden
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Solberg's delay nearly let Hyundai's debutant Kevin Abbring into the top 10, but Meeke's strong pace on that stage inched him ahead of the Dutchman in the overall standings by eight tenths.
Breaking news
SS11 summary:
* Mikkelsen extends his overall lead to 27.3s
* Ostberg hits a snow bank and gets a puncture, losing 46s and falling to fourth
* Ogier moves up to third but loses another 6s to Mikkelsen
* Solberg loses five minutes in a snow bank and drops out of the points
* Mikkelsen extends his overall lead to 27.3s
* Ostberg hits a snow bank and gets a puncture, losing 46s and falling to fourth
* Ogier moves up to third but loses another 6s to Mikkelsen
* Solberg loses five minutes in a snow bank and drops out of the points
Checkered flag
SS11 results:
Stage times:
1 Mikkelsen 10m33.9s
2 Latvala +3.1s
3 Ogier +6.0s
4 Meeke +7.7s
5 Neuville +8.2s
6 Kubica +9.7s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Mikkelsen
2 Neuville +27.3s
3 Ogier +30.7s
4 Ostberg +1m05.9s
5 Tanak +1m19.0s
6 Paddon +2m03.2s
7 Prokop +2m16.5s
8 Protasov +2m38.1s
9 Evans +3m09.9s
10 Meeke +3m39.0s
Stage times:
1 Mikkelsen 10m33.9s
2 Latvala +3.1s
3 Ogier +6.0s
4 Meeke +7.7s
5 Neuville +8.2s
6 Kubica +9.7s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Mikkelsen
2 Neuville +27.3s
3 Ogier +30.7s
4 Ostberg +1m05.9s
5 Tanak +1m19.0s
6 Paddon +2m03.2s
7 Prokop +2m16.5s
8 Protasov +2m38.1s
9 Evans +3m09.9s
10 Meeke +3m39.0s
Crash
After some internet-less minutes, we're back in business, apologies for that.
The main action you missed was a shunt for Henning Solberg. The WRC's remaining Solberg sibling (though Petter's out on the historic rally) lost five minutes in a snow bank, dropping him back from his overnight ninth place and letting Kris Meeke back into the top 10.
The main action you missed was a shunt for Henning Solberg. The WRC's remaining Solberg sibling (though Petter's out on the historic rally) lost five minutes in a snow bank, dropping him back from his overnight ninth place and letting Kris Meeke back into the top 10.
Neuville is at the finish, he loses 7s to Mikkelsen but only a second to Ogier as they fight for second.
Hyundai is the only top team to take two spare tyres this morning. That adds a weight penalty but also means he has more fresh rubber to change to later on what is a four-stage loop.
Hyundai is the only top team to take two spare tyres this morning. That adds a weight penalty but also means he has more fresh rubber to change to later on what is a four-stage loop.
Quote
"I touched a bank on a corner exit and we have a puncture, and I think we've destroyed more than that," says Ostberg.
That's a huge blow for our overnight third-place man, and immediately gives Ogier a place back.
He heads off to check for further damage.
That's a huge blow for our overnight third-place man, and immediately gives Ogier a place back.
He heads off to check for further damage.
Crash
Trouble for Ostberg! After that strong start to the stage, he comes in with left-rear tyre damage and he's 46s slower than Mikkelsen.
Quote
Mikkelsen is in and he's 6s faster than Ogier! He doesn't think stage conditions are particularly excellent for him either.
"This one was a little bit loose, very slippery in places, but we're trying. We were not on the limit everywhere, there's definitely room for improvement, but it's a good start."
"This one was a little bit loose, very slippery in places, but we're trying. We were not on the limit everywhere, there's definitely room for improvement, but it's a good start."
There's a huge fight for second between Neuville and Ogier to watch too, and on the splits the Citroen is coming back at the Hyundai.
Stopwatch
Latvala is at the finish 2s faster than Ogier. After his eight minutes in a ditch yesterday, the Finn is only 23rd overall.
"Getting a top 10 would be really good. But it's not going to be easy - we are eight and a half minutes behind... We'll try to keep focus and a good rhythm."
"Getting a top 10 would be really good. But it's not going to be easy - we are eight and a half minutes behind... We'll try to keep focus and a good rhythm."
Quote
Ogier finishes in 10m39.9s, and he's not optimistic. With a decent amount of snow on the stage and only Bertelli ahead of him, the world champion says he's just sweeping the road.
"There's no chance, there's so much snow. Like yesterday - same approach, do as much as we can, but it's difficult."
Mikkelsen is only two cars further back in the start order, but Ogier reckons "that's enough to keep the gap."
"There's no chance, there's so much snow. Like yesterday - same approach, do as much as we can, but it's difficult."
Mikkelsen is only two cars further back in the start order, but Ogier reckons "that's enough to keep the gap."
More good news for Mikkelsen at the next split - he's 3.4s faster there.
Stopwatch
At the first splits, the times are in Mikkelsen's favour - by a tiny amount. He's added three tenths to the gap to Ogier, who is 24.7s off the lead in fourth overall starting the stage.
Lights out
First onto the stages this morning is Italian privateer and WRC2 graduate Lorenzo Bertelli, who was our only retirement from the top class yesterday and is back under Rally 2.
Then it's current championship order thereafter, so Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen will be through next.
Then it's current championship order thereafter, so Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen will be through next.
Good morning and welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live - we're a minute away from the 11.3-mile Fredriksberg stage that kicks off what could be an incredible second day of Rally Sweden.
There's still a short evening superspecial in Karlstad to come in a couple of hours - we won't be covering that on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live, but keep an eye on our news pages for an update after that.
We'll resume our Live coverage from 6.45am UK time tomorrow morning - an early start, but we suspect it's going to be worth it.
Are we about to see an epic Ogier charge? Can Mikkelsen hang on? Is Neuville going to sneak another win as he did in Germany last year? Or will Ostberg's dreams come true? Join us tomorrow and Sunday to find out.
We'll resume our Live coverage from 6.45am UK time tomorrow morning - an early start, but we suspect it's going to be worth it.
Are we about to see an epic Ogier charge? Can Mikkelsen hang on? Is Neuville going to sneak another win as he did in Germany last year? Or will Ostberg's dreams come true? Join us tomorrow and Sunday to find out.
Andreas Mikkelsen, VW, WRC Sweden 2015
Breaking news
Well, that was eventful...
SS9 summary:
* Ogier goes off and loses half a minute, which should put Latvala into the lead...
* ...but Latvala goes off and loses eight minutes...
* ...which puts Mikkelsen into the lead!
* Neuville is quickest and moves into what becomes second place, ahead of Ostberg and Ogier
* Tanak and Paddon pop into the top six
SS9 summary:
* Ogier goes off and loses half a minute, which should put Latvala into the lead...
* ...but Latvala goes off and loses eight minutes...
* ...which puts Mikkelsen into the lead!
* Neuville is quickest and moves into what becomes second place, ahead of Ostberg and Ogier
* Tanak and Paddon pop into the top six
Checkered flag
SS9 results:
Stage times:
1 Neuville 8m40.4s
2 Mikkelsen +1.0s
3 Meeke +2.2s
4 Evans +2.3s
5 Tanak +4.1s
6 Paddon +4.3s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Mikkelsen
2 Neuville +19.7s
3 Ostberg +20.6s
4 Ogier +26.1s
5 Tanak +1m06.1s
6 Paddon +1m36.0s
7 Prokop +1m59.1s
8 Protasov +2m11.8s
9 Solberg +2m17.8s
10 Evans +2m47.4s
Stage times:
1 Neuville 8m40.4s
2 Mikkelsen +1.0s
3 Meeke +2.2s
4 Evans +2.3s
5 Tanak +4.1s
6 Paddon +4.3s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Mikkelsen
2 Neuville +19.7s
3 Ostberg +20.6s
4 Ogier +26.1s
5 Tanak +1m06.1s
6 Paddon +1m36.0s
7 Prokop +1m59.1s
8 Protasov +2m11.8s
9 Solberg +2m17.8s
10 Evans +2m47.4s
Twitter
Message from Jari-Matti Latvala to the spectators who dug him out of that ditch: "Thank you so, so much guys!"
Breaking news
If you're just joining us, perhaps after spotting every WRC fan you know on Twitter going wild in the last few minutes, Ogier and Latvala both went off on today's last full-length stage, vaulting Mikkelsen into the lead.
Ogier got going again in fourth, behind Neuville and Ostberg, but Latvala lost eight minutes and is right out of contention.
Ogier got going again in fourth, behind Neuville and Ostberg, but Latvala lost eight minutes and is right out of contention.
Kubica will be limping through next, but he may well be passed on the stage again as his Ford is struggling along in two-wheel-drive mode.
Quote
Tanak has made it smoothly through, so an overnight fifth is his unless anything odd happens on the superspecial. He hasn't starred today, but it's still a decent weekend so far.
"We can do better - a lot better - but I think these last two stages were not so bad. I had a bit of a better rhythm and didn't push so much."
"We can do better - a lot better - but I think these last two stages were not so bad. I had a bit of a better rhythm and didn't push so much."
Tanak is going to finish the day in fifth place if he keeps everything tidy, then the Paddon, Prokop, Protasov, Solberg crowd will be battling for other top 10 spots, and Evans should be back in t10th already after going off on the last stage.
Meeke may well be back up to around 11th by the time this all shakes out too.
Meeke may well be back up to around 11th by the time this all shakes out too.
Prokop has finished the stage, he's been struggling without fourth gear in the last couple of stages but he'll still be on course for points amid everyone else's fondness for snow banks.
Breaking news
So our rally order right now is:
1 Mikkelsen
2 Neuville +19.7s
3 Ostberg +20.6s
4 Ogier +26.1s
Tomorrow is going to be fun!
1 Mikkelsen
2 Neuville +19.7s
3 Ostberg +20.6s
4 Ogier +26.1s
Tomorrow is going to be fun!
Quote
Latvala has got his VW back on the road and made it to the stage finish. The Polo is undamaged but he's lost a lot of time and all hopes of a win this weekend after losing eight minutes:
"It was a long, long straight and a right-hand corner. I came a bit too fast into the corner - I saw grave and expected the grip to be better.
"The rear hit the snow bank and it took the front in. I tried full throttle but I went into the ditch and got the car stuck."
"It was a long, long straight and a right-hand corner. I came a bit too fast into the corner - I saw grave and expected the grip to be better.
"The rear hit the snow bank and it took the front in. I tried full throttle but I went into the ditch and got the car stuck."
Stopwatch
Now Neuville pops through with the fastest stage time yet and that thrusts him ahead of Ostberg into second overall!
"It was quite tricky, the darkness started when I was on the startline, but we made it through and I had some nice corners in there.
"The chassis of the car is very good now. It's a shame we don't have the quick-shifting and a better engine - we'd be up in the fight."
Well he's in a pretty good place anyway...
"It was quite tricky, the darkness started when I was on the startline, but we made it through and I had some nice corners in there.
"The chassis of the car is very good now. It's a shame we don't have the quick-shifting and a better engine - we'd be up in the fight."
Well he's in a pretty good place anyway...
Mikkelsen was nearly 40s faster than Ogier on the stage after the champion's mistake, so Mikkelsen is now 26.1s ahead of Ogier.
Ostberg slots into second between them.
Ostberg slots into second between them.
Crash
Latvala remains stuck off the road, he's put his VW into a ditch and spectators are trying to get him going again.
Quote
Mikkelsen has been launched from third to first by his team-mates' mistakes, amazing. He's baffled...
"Jari-Matti I know about because I saw him, but Seb has had a problem as well??
"OK... that makes things interesting!
"It's sad for them as they've done good rallies. But if I know Ogier right, he won't be giving up."
"Jari-Matti I know about because I saw him, but Seb has had a problem as well??
"OK... that makes things interesting!
"It's sad for them as they've done good rallies. But if I know Ogier right, he won't be giving up."
Crash
Confirmation that Latvala has gone off the road, and he's stuck and stopped!
Mikkelsen is going to come through to finish the stage and lead Rally Sweden.
Mikkelsen is going to come through to finish the stage and lead Rally Sweden.
Breaking news
MORE DRAMA: Latvala has stopped just before the finish of the stage!
Mikkelsen is going to lead... if he makes it through...
Mikkelsen is going to lead... if he makes it through...
Quote
Ogier explains what's happened:
"We hit a snow bank in a slow corner. It was just a mistake, unfortunately. I braked a bit too late for a junction. I thought it would be OK, but then we went into the bank just a little bit and I got stuck.
"I had to push. Being first on the road, you have to take risks, it's the only way you're going to do anything."
"We hit a snow bank in a slow corner. It was just a mistake, unfortunately. I braked a bit too late for a junction. I thought it would be OK, but then we went into the bank just a little bit and I got stuck.
"I had to push. Being first on the road, you have to take risks, it's the only way you're going to do anything."
Crash
Ogier reaches the end of the stage, and there's a lot of snow on that VW...
Stopwatch
Mikkelsen also comes through 27s up on Ogier at split one, and at split two Latvala's margin is up to 29s.
Stopwatch
Drama immediately - Latvala's first split is 27s faster than Ogier's!
Lights out
Right, time for today's last full-length stage. After a morning that seemed to be hinting at a bit of an Ogier walkover, the top three have got closer and closer all afternoon. Will it be Ogier or Latvala in front heading to Karlstad?
And having provided evidence of his breakfast earlier in the day, DAVID EVANS also gave us a lunch update on his way back from Norway:
"Lunch was hard to find in the Kirkener regroup, but good news came just across the border back into Sweden as the golden arches lit up the afternoon gloom. Chicken nuggets and free wifi – allowing me to impart this culinary update – abound."
"Lunch was hard to find in the Kirkener regroup, but good news came just across the border back into Sweden as the golden arches lit up the afternoon gloom. Chicken nuggets and free wifi – allowing me to impart this culinary update – abound."
Markko Martin
DAVID EVANS: With top Brit co-driver Seb Marshall present in Sweden alongside Kevin Abbring, Kris Meeke's co-driver Paul Nagle raised the question of when three English-speaking co-drivers had been in factory World Rally Cars?
That would have been in 2003 – when Robert Reid (Richard Burns), Derek Ringer (Colin McRae) and Michael 'Beef' Park (Markko Martin) were all competing at rallying's highest level.
Irishman Nagle said Marshall was a welcome addition: "He's worked really hard to get where he is, a couple of years ago he was co-ordinating for Craig [Breen] and I, but he stuck at it and he's been rewarded.
"He's a great guy and it's good to have him here."
Next up is the nine-mile Torsby stage, which was our opener this morning and concludes the main part of the afternoon loop. That starts in about 20 minutes.
There's another run at the Karlstad superspecial to round Friday off, but that's not until 7pm local time (6pm UK).
There's another run at the Karlstad superspecial to round Friday off, but that's not until 7pm local time (6pm UK).
By: Jamie Klein, AUTOSPORT staff
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