WRC Finland, Red Bull Ring DTM and F3
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Euro F3 - Red Bull Ring: Jake Dennis gets away well and snatches the lead from Rosenqvist into Turn 1.
WRC - Finland: No drama. Ogier has completed the stage 10.9s up on Kubica's initial pace.
Euro F3 - Red Bull Ring: The grid starts to form.
Rosenqvist on pole, Jake Dennis alongside the Swede on the front row.
Rosenqvist on pole, Jake Dennis alongside the Swede on the front row.
Euro F3 - Red Bull Ring: The field files off on the formation lap.
Charles Leclerc is sluggish away from the grid but has got going and takes his place in fifth in the train of cars.
Charles Leclerc is sluggish away from the grid but has got going and takes his place in fifth in the train of cars.
WRC - Finland: We have split times for Ostberg but nothing as of yet for Ogier.
It may just be a timing screen fault but we may have BIG drama in Finland
It may just be a timing screen fault but we may have BIG drama in Finland
Euro F3 - Red Bull Ring: Jake Dennis joins Rosenqvist on the front row, with Ferrari junior Lance Stroll third.
Championship leader Antonio Giovinazzi will start this morning's race from fourth.
Championship leader Antonio Giovinazzi will start this morning's race from fourth.
WRC - Finland: SS14 is underway. Do you want more Meeke insight? Of course you do!
SS14 Horkka (9.68 miles)
This is a mix of two stages, the second half of this one is Painaa from a few years ago with seven or eight kilometres at the start. And again, there’s a narrower section here, especially towards the finish.
SS14 Horkka (9.68 miles)
This is a mix of two stages, the second half of this one is Painaa from a few years ago with seven or eight kilometres at the start. And again, there’s a narrower section here, especially towards the finish.
Euro F3 - Red Bull Ring: Felix Rosenqvist will start the weekend's opening race from pole, after leading a Prema Powerteam clean sweep of the top three in first qualifying.
Euro F3 - Red Bull Ring: Good morning!
The opening Formula 3 European Championship race of the weekend at the Red Bull Ring kicks off in a little over 10 minutes.
The opening Formula 3 European Championship race of the weekend at the Red Bull Ring kicks off in a little over 10 minutes.
WRC - Finland: Ogier was upset by the ruts left by cars through the second loop of stages yesterday.
He complained of loose gravel after SS13 but is thankful for Kubica's return as he leads the road.
He told David Evans yesterday that he was hoping Mikkelsen and Paddon would also return:
Ogier was disappointed not to see more cars returning to the Finnish stages under superally. Neither his fellow Volkswagen driver Andreas Mikkelsen or Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon will re-start today following their crashes yesterday. Ogier said: “I was really crossing my fingers and hoping they would come back. OK, we have Robert [Kubica] ahead of us and that will help.”
He complained of loose gravel after SS13 but is thankful for Kubica's return as he leads the road.
He told David Evans yesterday that he was hoping Mikkelsen and Paddon would also return:
Ogier was disappointed not to see more cars returning to the Finnish stages under superally. Neither his fellow Volkswagen driver Andreas Mikkelsen or Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon will re-start today following their crashes yesterday. Ogier said: “I was really crossing my fingers and hoping they would come back. OK, we have Robert [Kubica] ahead of us and that will help.”
WRC - Finland: Three guesses who is fastest in WRC2? Yes, or course, it's Lappi. The Finn was 7s up on Tidemand, increasing his overall lead to 1m13.5s.
He's not the only man out there on fire though. Lefebvre crosses the line with a small fire breaking out on the front left of the car, complete with puncture.
The fire is out and everyone is ok.
Nikara also has problems as he completes the stage. He has a right front puncture after hitting a rock.
He's not the only man out there on fire though. Lefebvre crosses the line with a small fire breaking out on the front left of the car, complete with puncture.
The fire is out and everyone is ok.
Nikara also has problems as he completes the stage. He has a right front puncture after hitting a rock.
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WRC - Finland: Neuville was 13.5s off the pace through Surkee. Is the Belgian just taking it easy? Apparently not, he has been watching the lines left by the leaders and he is not happy:
"I had a good stage, but the guys in front are cutting [the corners] so much it's almost unbelievable. I could see their lines in the road. I don't know how they know there are no rocks hidden in there."
"I had a good stage, but the guys in front are cutting [the corners] so much it's almost unbelievable. I could see their lines in the road. I don't know how they know there are no rocks hidden in there."
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WRC - Finland: Kubica was mighty through the opening section of Surkee. But where did his pace go through the rest of the stage? I'll let the man himself explain:
"Yes, a good start but on the second section I thought we had a puncture and I went off!"
"Yes, a good start but on the second section I thought we had a puncture and I went off!"
WRC - Finland: Steady as she goes for Hanninen. The returning Finn is clearly having fun out there but is being slightly cautious.
He is still comfortably seventh. Which in the grand scheme of things is pretty impressive.
He is still comfortably seventh. Which in the grand scheme of things is pretty impressive.
WRC - Finland: Prokop comes through with the slowest time so far.
Which means Tanak jumps him in the overall standings.
The Estonian was 7.9s behind after SS12 but is now 8.6s ahead. Great effort by Tanak.
Which means Tanak jumps him in the overall standings.
The Estonian was 7.9s behind after SS12 but is now 8.6s ahead. Great effort by Tanak.
WRC - Finland: Sordo is also battling hard to overhaul Hyundai team-mate Neuville.
He doesn't make any headway through SS13 as he's lost a further 0.6s to the Belgian.
He doesn't make any headway through SS13 as he's lost a further 0.6s to the Belgian.
WRC - Finland: We mentioned mini-battles before and one man involved in such a battle is Tanak.
He is scrapping with Prokop for eighth and has put in a strong time through Surkee, just 3.9s off the fastest time.
He is scrapping with Prokop for eighth and has put in a strong time through Surkee, just 3.9s off the fastest time.
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WRC - Finland: Latvala is giving it everything he's got today. Is he going to push too far though? He almost did through Surkee:
"Absolutely flat out. I went wide in front of the spectator area and lost a little of my rhythm but fine apart from that."
"Absolutely flat out. I went wide in front of the spectator area and lost a little of my rhythm but fine apart from that."
WRC - Finland: Meeke blasts through and his transmission change is working wonders.
He is just 0.4s behind stage leader Ogier but crucially, he has further extended the gap to team-mate Ostberg to 18.4s.
We have a lot of mini-battles out there at the moment.
He is just 0.4s behind stage leader Ogier but crucially, he has further extended the gap to team-mate Ostberg to 18.4s.
We have a lot of mini-battles out there at the moment.
WRC - Finland: Ostberg by the way came through 0.4s faster than Kubica and 3.3s down on Ogier.
Neuville however is slowest of the first runners. 13.5s off Ogier but I think caution is the order of the day for the Belgian as the overall gap to the leaders is over two minutes.
Neuville however is slowest of the first runners. 13.5s off Ogier but I think caution is the order of the day for the Belgian as the overall gap to the leaders is over two minutes.
WRC - Finland: And that is exactly how he finishes the stage, 0.1s down on Ogier.
The overall lead gap is now just 2s!
Are you all awake yet? No need for coffee this morning!
The overall lead gap is now just 2s!
Are you all awake yet? No need for coffee this morning!
WRC - Finland: It's real nip and tuck stuff between Ogier and Latvala. The Finn is now just 0.1s down through the second split.
WRC - Finland: No one is going quicker than Kubica through the first half of the stage.
Ostberg and Latvala are both significantly down.
Perhaps I didn't give Kubica the benefit of the doubt earlier because it seems as though he was mega through the first part.
Ostberg and Latvala are both significantly down.
Perhaps I didn't give Kubica the benefit of the doubt earlier because it seems as though he was mega through the first part.
WRC - Finland: Normal service has been resumed. Ogier is up by 2.8s through the second part of the stage.
WRC - Finland: First split times are in and Ogier is 0.5s slower than Kubica.
Has he had a problem through the first part of the stage? We will see.
Has he had a problem through the first part of the stage? We will see.
WRC - Finland: For those of you wondering what the weather is like at the moment in Finland, it's cold, very very cold.
That doesn't deter any of the spectators or the security guards.
David Evans has once again been snap happy in Finland ahead of this morning's stages:
Weather watch for today… it’s very, very cloudy and quite a lot colder than yesterday. Arriving in the service park early on the first day in August this morning, it was a little surprising to see the overnight security guards in full winter suits. But at least – as this picture shows – they’re happy in their work…
That doesn't deter any of the spectators or the security guards.
David Evans has once again been snap happy in Finland ahead of this morning's stages:
Weather watch for today… it’s very, very cloudy and quite a lot colder than yesterday. Arriving in the service park early on the first day in August this morning, it was a little surprising to see the overnight security guards in full winter suits. But at least – as this picture shows – they’re happy in their work…
WRC - Finland: When Meeke isn't busy changing his transmission he is offering us insight on how to tackle Finland's fast and tricky stage. Here he talks us through Surkee:
SS13 Surkee (9.28 miles)
This is a tricky stage, quite a bit narrower than the others – we’re not on the big wide national roads here. That means you have to be that bit cleaner with the lines, there’s no chance to let the car run wide or anything like that. Surkee is Jari-Matti’s favourite stage, so it’ll be interesting to see what he can do in this one.
SS13 Surkee (9.28 miles)
This is a tricky stage, quite a bit narrower than the others – we’re not on the big wide national roads here. That means you have to be that bit cleaner with the lines, there’s no chance to let the car run wide or anything like that. Surkee is Jari-Matti’s favourite stage, so it’ll be interesting to see what he can do in this one.
WRC - Finland: Meeke was vocal in his complaints yesterday afternoon and back at service he made some BIG changes which have certainly benefitted him this morning.
Here is what he had to say David Evans:
Kris Meeke’s DS 3 WRC was treated to a complete transmission change last night in preparation for today. The Northern Irishman said: “I’m pretty sensitive to a change in the car and something was definitely not right in there. Maybe it was some pre-load in the front diff – every time I came off the throttle the car was moving around a little bit. But it’s all changed and new for today, so we can go on and push again.”
Here is what he had to say David Evans:
Kris Meeke’s DS 3 WRC was treated to a complete transmission change last night in preparation for today. The Northern Irishman said: “I’m pretty sensitive to a change in the car and something was definitely not right in there. Maybe it was some pre-load in the front diff – every time I came off the throttle the car was moving around a little bit. But it’s all changed and new for today, so we can go on and push again.”
Breaking news
WRC - Finland - SS11/12 summary:
* Latvala extended his lead through Mokkipera by 3.4s
* But . . . the Finn lost all of that time through the following stage where Ogier was 3.9s quicker, bringing the gap between the leading pair down to just 2.1s heading into SS13
* Kris Meeke changed his transmission last night and it made an instant impact. He was second and third through the opening stages of the day and crucially increased the gap to his team-mate Mads Ostberg to 15.5s
* Evans and Tanak also ironed out the issues that hampered their running on Friday. Evans is still way down the order but Tanak is closing the gap to Martin Prokop in eighth to just 7.9s
* Robert Kubica returned after his alternator issue at the midday point yesterday. He was first out on the road this morning and looked strong through the opening stages
* Andreas Mikkelsen and Hayden Paddon however will not return following their respective Friday shunts
* Latvala extended his lead through Mokkipera by 3.4s
* But . . . the Finn lost all of that time through the following stage where Ogier was 3.9s quicker, bringing the gap between the leading pair down to just 2.1s heading into SS13
* Kris Meeke changed his transmission last night and it made an instant impact. He was second and third through the opening stages of the day and crucially increased the gap to his team-mate Mads Ostberg to 15.5s
* Evans and Tanak also ironed out the issues that hampered their running on Friday. Evans is still way down the order but Tanak is closing the gap to Martin Prokop in eighth to just 7.9s
* Robert Kubica returned after his alternator issue at the midday point yesterday. He was first out on the road this morning and looked strong through the opening stages
* Andreas Mikkelsen and Hayden Paddon however will not return following their respective Friday shunts
Welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live for day two of a thrillingly close-fought Rally Finland plus all the action from the Red Bull Ring DTM and European Formula 3 race day.
We'll have a full round-up of the afternoon's Rally Finland action in our news section shortly, plus news from IndyCar practice at Mid-Ohio and European F3 qualifying at the Red Bull Ring too.
Our AUTOSPORT Live coverage from Finland resumes from SS13 at 9am UK time tomorrow morning, and we'll also keep you up to date with DTM and F3 events at the Red Bull Ring all day. See you then.
Our AUTOSPORT Live coverage from Finland resumes from SS13 at 9am UK time tomorrow morning, and we'll also keep you up to date with DTM and F3 events at the Red Bull Ring all day. See you then.
Jari-Matti Latvala, VW, WRC Finland 2015
Breaking news
WRC - Finland - SS10 summary:
* Ogier nibbles a bit back from Latvala by beating him by half a second. They're 2.6s apart overall.
And that's about it, but then no one's going to go too wild on a short street stage when there are crucial forest tests ahead.
* Ogier nibbles a bit back from Latvala by beating him by half a second. They're 2.6s apart overall.
And that's about it, but then no one's going to go too wild on a short street stage when there are crucial forest tests ahead.
Checkered flag
WRC - Finland - SS10 results:
Stage results:
1 Ogier 1m43.4s
2 Latvala +0.5s
3 Sordo +1.3s
4 Meeke +1.4s
5 Neuville +1.5s
6 Ostberg +1.6s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Latvala
2 Ogier +2.6s
3 Meeke +24.0s
4 Ostberg +34.1s
5 Neuville +1m49.6s
6 Sordo +1m52.3s
7 Hanninen +2m22.5s
8 Prokop +2m46.6s
Stage results:
1 Ogier 1m43.4s
2 Latvala +0.5s
3 Sordo +1.3s
4 Meeke +1.4s
5 Neuville +1.5s
6 Ostberg +1.6s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Latvala
2 Ogier +2.6s
3 Meeke +24.0s
4 Ostberg +34.1s
5 Neuville +1m49.6s
6 Sordo +1m52.3s
7 Hanninen +2m22.5s
8 Prokop +2m46.6s
WRC - Finland: Hanninen finishes day one of his WRC comeback in seventh overall, a respectable half a minute behind the remaining Hyundais in his older-spec Ford.
"It's really, really nice to be here after a long, long break," he says. "I've been careful today."
"It's really, really nice to be here after a long, long break," he says. "I've been careful today."
WRC - Finland: Advantage Sordo on the superspecial in this little Hyundai fight for fifth overall. He trims 0.2s off Neuville and gets the gap down to 2.7s.
Pace-wise, both drivers have had a really disappointing day. But their cars are still in one piece and then means a double top six right now.
Pace-wise, both drivers have had a really disappointing day. But their cars are still in one piece and then means a double top six right now.
WRC - Finland: Even on a mile of street stage, bent suspension costs you 11s as Evans proves, but he's made it to the finish of Friday.
"The day started really good, the feeling was really good in the car. But I made a mistake early on in Ouninpohja, which wasn't what we wanted. We had to just try to get through. It's been a very, very long day."
"The day started really good, the feeling was really good in the car. But I made a mistake early on in Ouninpohja, which wasn't what we wanted. We had to just try to get through. It's been a very, very long day."
WRC - Finland: Meeke is through and holds his third place overall. A lead challenge now looks unlikely as he's 24s off Latvala in first place, but still 10.1s clear of Ostberg.
"Finland can't be 99 per cent or even 99.5 per cent, you have to be 100 per cent. We had a little issue today, I thought it was bigger than it was but it turns out I can still drive the car, it was just a curious feeling."
"Finland can't be 99 per cent or even 99.5 per cent, you have to be 100 per cent. We had a little issue today, I thought it was bigger than it was but it turns out I can still drive the car, it was just a curious feeling."
WRC - Finland: Latvala is through and he's half a second slower than Ogier, so his overall lead is down to 2.6s.
The Finn is never the best at superspecials, and in a rally this close that's not ideal.
The Finn is never the best at superspecials, and in a rally this close that's not ideal.
WRC - Finland: Ostberg ends a rather mixed day with a superspecial time 1.6s off Ogier.
It wasn't the greatest start to the day, but as his confidence rose and other drivers lost their heads or chunks of their cars, he surged forwards.
He'll start Saturday within reach of third-placed team-mate Meeke.
And a glance at the overall timing screen reminds us that Ostberg is still within 31s of Ogier at the end of the day. That's really not bad at all.
It wasn't the greatest start to the day, but as his confidence rose and other drivers lost their heads or chunks of their cars, he surged forwards.
He'll start Saturday within reach of third-placed team-mate Meeke.
And a glance at the overall timing screen reminds us that Ostberg is still within 31s of Ogier at the end of the day. That's really not bad at all.
Breaking news
WRC - Finland: Confirmation that Mikkelsen's VW can't be repaired in time to rejoin the action tomorrow after his very heavy crash this morning.
By: AUTOSPORT staff, Mitchell Adam, Mark Glendenning, Jack Benyon
Published:
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