WRC Argentina
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WRC - Argentina: Ostberg, who reports his Citroen worked fine on that stage, is fastest so far on this stage by a second ahead of Evans, who's just in now.
Quote
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen comes in with clearly broken front suspension, and angry about the limits on radio communication:
"The damper came through and I had to take it really slow. But this is so dangerous - I can't contact my team, Thierry was behind me and I couldn't see him. He hit me straight from behind.
"It's not Thierry's mistake, it's not mine, it's the regulations. It could cause a major accident."
"The damper came through and I had to take it really slow. But this is so dangerous - I can't contact my team, Thierry was behind me and I couldn't see him. He hit me straight from behind.
"It's not Thierry's mistake, it's not mine, it's the regulations. It could cause a major accident."
Crash
WRC - Argentina: Neuville has slight damage to the front end, and it's come from hitting Mikkelsen!
"Andreas was going quite slowly and we had to give him a push," Neuville explains.
Not clear from Neuville's version how friendly or dramatic that push was.
"Andreas was going quite slowly and we had to give him a push," Neuville explains.
Not clear from Neuville's version how friendly or dramatic that push was.
WRC - Argentina: Neuville passes the limping Mikkelsen on the stage and is the first car in.
Crash
WRC - Argentina: More trouble for Mikkelsen - Neuville is half a minute faster than the VW at split three and TV crews on the stage are reporting broken front suspension for Mikkelsen.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen was fastest of the early runners by a few tenths at split one, but Ostberg is now setting the pace at split two.
Meeke starts in seven minutes. His not-so-great championship position translates into a pretty handy starting position for today and tomorrow.
Meeke starts in seven minutes. His not-so-great championship position translates into a pretty handy starting position for today and tomorrow.
WRC - Argentina: And some of our survivors are limping: Sordo had power steering problems on SS2, Ostberg's engine was cutting out and Paddon's Hyundai appeared to be shaking itself to pieces in myriad ways. There's no service until after this 12-mile stage.
WRC - Argentina:
The field currently looks like this:
1 Meeke
2 Sordo +32.7s
3 Latvala +33.9s
4 Ostberg +44.6s
5 Paddon +47.8s
6 Tanak +58.9s
7 Prokop +1m13.0s
8 Evans +1m17.8s
9 Mikkelsen +1m53.8s
10 Protasov +1m57.6s
(14 Neuville +4m21.0s)
The field currently looks like this:
1 Meeke
2 Sordo +32.7s
3 Latvala +33.9s
4 Ostberg +44.6s
5 Paddon +47.8s
6 Tanak +58.9s
7 Prokop +1m13.0s
8 Evans +1m17.8s
9 Mikkelsen +1m53.8s
10 Protasov +1m57.6s
(14 Neuville +4m21.0s)
Lights out
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen and Neuville are onto SS3, but they're not relevant to the lead battle right now as both lost several minutes hitting things and getting punctures on Ascochinga.
WRC - Argentina: We're not being unfair to say that sometimes Meeke getting into a great position on a rally has been followed swiftly by Meeke having a shunt...
He's leading by 32s and the man who's won every rally so far this year is out. That bodes well for Meeke. But it's a long, nervous time from now until Sunday's finish.
So we're not going to start saying anything about how long it's been since the WRC's last British winner, yet...
He's leading by 32s and the man who's won every rally so far this year is out. That bodes well for Meeke. But it's a long, nervous time from now until Sunday's finish.
So we're not going to start saying anything about how long it's been since the WRC's last British winner, yet...
WRC - Argentina: Three minutes till we get this madness going again for the final stage before lunchtime service.
If you're just joining us: Ogier out! Meeke leads by a half a minute!
Now that's a pretty tantalising start to a rally isn't it?
If you're just joining us: Ogier out! Meeke leads by a half a minute!
Now that's a pretty tantalising start to a rally isn't it?
FR3.5 - Aragon: Alongside our Rally Argentina coverage, we'll also be bringing you as-it-happens updates from the opening round of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series at Aragon.
With Zeta and Comtec both skipping the opening round, the field is down to 20 cars, but one of them is occupied by a man already in Formula 1.
Roberto Merhi tells PETER MILLS why he's stuck by his Pons FR3.5 deal despite getting a Manor F1 seat too:
Why an F1 driver is racing in FR3.5
With Zeta and Comtec both skipping the opening round, the field is down to 20 cars, but one of them is occupied by a man already in Formula 1.
Roberto Merhi tells PETER MILLS why he's stuck by his Pons FR3.5 deal despite getting a Manor F1 seat too:
Why an F1 driver is racing in FR3.5
Merhi
WRC - Argentina: So with Ogier out - at least until tomorrow - there will be no Rally Argentina win for the Frenchman.
It's the only rally he hasn't won on the current calendar.
He also won't extend his record of five wins in a row, which tied Sebastian Loeb's 2005 and 2008 campaigns.
It's the only rally he hasn't won on the current calendar.
He also won't extend his record of five wins in a row, which tied Sebastian Loeb's 2005 and 2008 campaigns.
WRC - Argentina: With Ogier seemingly out of the challenge for major points, let's consider the points standings.
Mikkelsen is second, 34 points behind Ogier, with Neuville a further 12 back.
1 Ogier 81
2 Mikkelsen 47
3 Neuville 35
4 Ostberg 32
5 Evans 26
6 Latvala 19
7 Sordo 18
8 Prokop 14
9 Tanak 12
10 Paddon 10
Mikkelsen is second, 34 points behind Ogier, with Neuville a further 12 back.
1 Ogier 81
2 Mikkelsen 47
3 Neuville 35
4 Ostberg 32
5 Evans 26
6 Latvala 19
7 Sordo 18
8 Prokop 14
9 Tanak 12
10 Paddon 10
Quote
WRC - Argentina: There's around 25 minutes to go until SS3, Villa Bustos - Tanti.
It's a much shorter test, just over 12 miles, and our rally leader Kris Meeke told AUTOSPORT about the test.
"The stage reminds me a lot of the shakedown stage we did on Wednesday. It's incredibly fast, like a motorway for the first 10 kilometres and then it narrows down towards the finish.
"Like the other stages, it's typical Argentina in that it's quite sandy and slippery."
It's a much shorter test, just over 12 miles, and our rally leader Kris Meeke told AUTOSPORT about the test.
"The stage reminds me a lot of the shakedown stage we did on Wednesday. It's incredibly fast, like a motorway for the first 10 kilometres and then it narrows down towards the finish.
"Like the other stages, it's typical Argentina in that it's quite sandy and slippery."
WRC - Argentina: Yuriy Protasov heads WRC2, also breaking into the top 10 thanks to the attrition affecting the WRC runners.
Abdul Al-Kuwar sits two places back in 12th after a solid stage.
Abdul Al-Kuwar sits two places back in 12th after a solid stage.
WRC - Argentina: So a quick run back through the order after the first stage of the morning produced quite the shake-up:
1 Meeke
2 Sordo
3 Latvala
4 Ostberg
5 Paddon
6 Tanak
7 Prokop
8 Evans
9 Mikkelsen
10 Protasov
1 Meeke
2 Sordo
3 Latvala
4 Ostberg
5 Paddon
6 Tanak
7 Prokop
8 Evans
9 Mikkelsen
10 Protasov
Breaking news
WRC - Argentina: We had no idea Malcolm Wilson could be prophetic.
When asked by our man David Evans yesterday, Wilson tipped Meeke for a shock win, citing a comparison to a certain Scottish legend...
"I can see a lot of Colin McRae in Kris," said Wilson.
"Colin had a real ability to understand what the car could cope with and, mechanically, how hard he could push in these really rough conditions.
"That's how he won events like the Safari and Kris is very similar in that way. If things fell right for him, you never know this week…"
And is that a good enough excuse for a picture of Colin McRae winning the Safari in one of Wilson's Fords? Of course it is.
When asked by our man David Evans yesterday, Wilson tipped Meeke for a shock win, citing a comparison to a certain Scottish legend...
"I can see a lot of Colin McRae in Kris," said Wilson.
"Colin had a real ability to understand what the car could cope with and, mechanically, how hard he could push in these really rough conditions.
"That's how he won events like the Safari and Kris is very similar in that way. If things fell right for him, you never know this week…"
And is that a good enough excuse for a picture of Colin McRae winning the Safari in one of Wilson's Fords? Of course it is.
Colin McRae, Ford, Safari WRC 1999
Breaking news
WRC - Argentina: No precise information from VW on what exactly stopped Ogier on SS2 yet, but the team confirms he's been retired from leg one.
Pending further analysis in the service park, the intention is for the world champion to rejoin under Rally2 tomorrow.
Five stages today, so he'll pick up 25 minutes of penalties. That should rule him out of victory unless something utterly, utterly insane (more insane than winning from first on the road and cars plunging into lakes) happens.
So we're going to have a different winner for the first time in 2015. And will it be a first-time victor...? Like our current dominant leader Meeke...
Pending further analysis in the service park, the intention is for the world champion to rejoin under Rally2 tomorrow.
Five stages today, so he'll pick up 25 minutes of penalties. That should rule him out of victory unless something utterly, utterly insane (more insane than winning from first on the road and cars plunging into lakes) happens.
So we're going to have a different winner for the first time in 2015. And will it be a first-time victor...? Like our current dominant leader Meeke...
Crash
WRC - Argentina: Another of our 14 World Rally Cars is out - Lorenzo Bertelli confirms he ripped a wheel off his Ford on SS2.
He'd been a very decent seventh on the superspecial last night.
He'd been a very decent seventh on the superspecial last night.
WRC - Argentina: About 50 minutes until our next stage, Tanti, which is a gentler 12 miles long.
Stick with us for updates on the support classes and any new information on the SS2 dramas.
And more of DAVID EVANS' adventures too.
Stick with us for updates on the support classes and any new information on the SS2 dramas.
And more of DAVID EVANS' adventures too.
Quote
WRC - Argentina: WRC2 frontrunner Jari Ketomaa also had a puncture on that stage. He apologises to his team at the end of the stage as he says it was entirely his fault for smacking a big stone.
"You try to avoid the problem but it's almost impossible unless you just go at cruising speed. Not easy."
"You try to avoid the problem but it's almost impossible unless you just go at cruising speed. Not easy."
Breaking news
WRC - Argentina - SS2 summary:
* Ogier stops and retires from day one with apparent engine problem
* Mikkelsen loses nearly two minutes with a spin and by puncturing a tyre in another mistake
* Neuville punctures a tyres and loses four minutes
* Meeke flies to 32s lead
* Furious Evans 1m17s off the lead after getting caught in delayed Neuville's dust
* Sordo delayed by power steering problem but still second ahead of Latvala
* Ostberg's engine cuts and he ends up fourth after setting early pace
* Ogier stops and retires from day one with apparent engine problem
* Mikkelsen loses nearly two minutes with a spin and by puncturing a tyre in another mistake
* Neuville punctures a tyres and loses four minutes
* Meeke flies to 32s lead
* Furious Evans 1m17s off the lead after getting caught in delayed Neuville's dust
* Sordo delayed by power steering problem but still second ahead of Latvala
* Ostberg's engine cuts and he ends up fourth after setting early pace
Checkered flag
WRC - Argentina - SS2 results:
Stage times:
1 Meeke 38m26.2s
2 Sordo +31.9s
3 Latvala +33.8s
4 Ostberg +43.0s
5 Paddon +45.2s
Lead order:
1 Meeke
2 Sordo +32.7s
3 Latvala +33.9s
4 Ostberg +44.6s
5 Paddon +47.8s
6 Tanak +58.9s
7 Prokop +1m13.0s
8 Evans +1m17.8s
9 Mikkelsen +1m53.8s
10 Al Qassimi +2m40.1s
Stage times:
1 Meeke 38m26.2s
2 Sordo +31.9s
3 Latvala +33.8s
4 Ostberg +43.0s
5 Paddon +45.2s
Lead order:
1 Meeke
2 Sordo +32.7s
3 Latvala +33.9s
4 Ostberg +44.6s
5 Paddon +47.8s
6 Tanak +58.9s
7 Prokop +1m13.0s
8 Evans +1m17.8s
9 Mikkelsen +1m53.8s
10 Al Qassimi +2m40.1s
WRC - Argentina: Paddon is at the stage end fifth fastest and quickly examining the front of his i20. He's concerned about a problem.
"It's crazy, those 20kms are so rough on the car and we've broken all the engine mounts are the front. It's broken a driveshaft and a turbo and we've got no power... Some of that stage is ridiculous."
"It's crazy, those 20kms are so rough on the car and we've broken all the engine mounts are the front. It's broken a driveshaft and a turbo and we've got no power... Some of that stage is ridiculous."
WRC - Argentina: This is a bit of a cracker already.
WRC - Argentina: Meeke reports that he did that without a properly functioning handbrake.
He leads Rally Argentina by 32.7s over Sordo after SS2.
He leads Rally Argentina by 32.7s over Sordo after SS2.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Meeke completes the stage over half a minute faster than Sordo and that will put him a similar amount ahead overall!
Massive lead for the Citroen man!
Massive lead for the Citroen man!
WRC - Argentina: Tanak completes the stage fourth fastest behind Sordo, Latvala and Ostberg, and without having spent any time underwater as far as we know.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Sordo's time in front will be brief, Meeke is flying...
WRC - Argentina: But now Dani Sordo leads!
He's 2s quicker than Latvala, and that's enough to overturn the deficit from the superspecial.
Yet Sordo's deeply unhappy, jumping out of the Hyundai to look at wrecked tyres, and also reporting power steering problems.
"Really, really hard and impossible to drive," says our furious rally leader.
He's 2s quicker than Latvala, and that's enough to overturn the deficit from the superspecial.
Yet Sordo's deeply unhappy, jumping out of the Hyundai to look at wrecked tyres, and also reporting power steering problems.
"Really, really hard and impossible to drive," says our furious rally leader.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: So with Ogier stopped, Neuville punctured, Ostberg stuttering, Mikkelsen spinning and punctured, and Evans driving blind...
...here's our new rally leader: Jari-Matti Latvala.
A man pretty familiar with drama, he had none on the stage while it went crazy for everyone else.
...here's our new rally leader: Jari-Matti Latvala.
A man pretty familiar with drama, he had none on the stage while it went crazy for everyone else.
Quote
WRC - Argentina: Evans is half a minute off Ostberg's pace despite the Citroen's problem - and he clearly blames that on Neuville's dust in his face.
"We could see his car in the distance halfway through the stage and we radioed them to pull over... A difficult stage for us. Frustrating.
"It wasn't a great stage for us, we didn't have a great rhythm. But it's knackered now."
"We could see his car in the distance halfway through the stage and we radioed them to pull over... A difficult stage for us. Frustrating.
"It wasn't a great stage for us, we didn't have a great rhythm. But it's knackered now."
WRC - Argentina: Neuville explains his drama:
"There was a big stone that I hit slightly with the rear and we had a puncture. We tried to continue but when the tyre was completely gone we had to stop.
"We were not able to change the tyre quickly and we lost a lot of time."
Evans came in not far behind Neuville and his co-driver Daniel Barritt is unhappy. He heads over to the Hyundai for a word...
"There was a big stone that I hit slightly with the rear and we had a puncture. We tried to continue but when the tyre was completely gone we had to stop.
"We were not able to change the tyre quickly and we lost a lot of time."
Evans came in not far behind Neuville and his co-driver Daniel Barritt is unhappy. He heads over to the Hyundai for a word...
WRC - Argentina: Neuville is in, and he's over three and a half minutes off Ostberg's pace after that problem.
Breaking news
WRC - Argentina: But Ostberg's gloomy, he had to slow with a temporary engine problem:
"I will try to be calm and answer sensibly, but the car had an engine problem and stopped on the stage. All the alarms came on."
"I will try to be calm and answer sensibly, but the car had an engine problem and stopped on the stage. All the alarms came on."
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Ostberg comes through 1m11s faster than the battered Mikkelsen and becomes our rally leader given Ogier's problems.
WRC - Argentina: And interestingly Ogier's parked far enough off the road that Mikkelsen didn't even see his stranded team-mate.
We don't think he parked in a lake.
We don't think he parked in a lake.
Crash
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen explains that he both had a spin in a fast corner, and then misheard a pace note and had a big hit on the rear, causing his puncture.
His time is 40m20s.
His time is 40m20s.
WRC - Argentina: Does seem that the reported puncture on Mikkelsen's car has taken its toll - he's now 40s behind Ostberg at the final split on the stage.
By: David Evans, Jack Benyon, Matt Beer, Peter Mills, Mitchell Adam
Published:
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