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WRC - France: We've already run two stages this morning, as Jari-Matti Latvala continues a march towards victory that hasn't seemed much in doubt since his title rival Sebastien Ogier was beset by problems on Friday.
The Finn has a 29.2 second advantage in his pocket as we head into the final two stages.
Latvala closes on Rally of France win
The Finn has a 29.2 second advantage in his pocket as we head into the final two stages.
Latvala closes on Rally of France win
Welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live as we begin our coverage of the final two stages of the Rally of France.
There are just 31.69km left to run in a rally that will have major implications for this year's title fight, with three bonus points up for grabs in the powerstage.
There are just 31.69km left to run in a rally that will have major implications for this year's title fight, with three bonus points up for grabs in the powerstage.
That's it for us here at Race Centre Live for now. Make sure you check AUTOSPORT.com this evening for a full recap of the afternoon following the conclusion of the Mulhouse superspecial.
The final leg of the rally commences at 6.30am UK time on Sunday, but - owing to a clash with some race going on in Japan or something - our live coverage will resume for the final two stages, including the all-important power stage, at around 9.40am.
Hope you'll join us again then.
The final leg of the rally commences at 6.30am UK time on Sunday, but - owing to a clash with some race going on in Japan or something - our live coverage will resume for the final two stages, including the all-important power stage, at around 9.40am.
Hope you'll join us again then.
WRC-2 - France: Before we wrap up our coverage for today, let's just quickly bring you up to date with whats's going on in the other classes.
In WRC-2, Gilbert extended his lead over Sousa on SS13 to 9.5s, with Chardonnet now almost two minutes down in third.
Meanwhile, in WRC-3, Fisher has grown his advantage over Camilli to a healthy 22.3s. Lurking just a further 0.4s back is championship leader Lefebvre, whose chief title rival Martin Koci is now out of the rally with brake problems.
That all but guarantees Lefebvre the Junior title, so long as keeps things together for the final five stages.
Also worth pointing out is ex-VW man Kevin Abbring, who was passed over in favour of Mikkelsen for the German marque's third Polo R WRC last year.
The Dutchman currently sits a creditable 13th overall in his RC2 class Peugeot 208, despite suffering a broken front-left rim on that last stage.
In WRC-2, Gilbert extended his lead over Sousa on SS13 to 9.5s, with Chardonnet now almost two minutes down in third.
Meanwhile, in WRC-3, Fisher has grown his advantage over Camilli to a healthy 22.3s. Lurking just a further 0.4s back is championship leader Lefebvre, whose chief title rival Martin Koci is now out of the rally with brake problems.
That all but guarantees Lefebvre the Junior title, so long as keeps things together for the final five stages.
Also worth pointing out is ex-VW man Kevin Abbring, who was passed over in favour of Mikkelsen for the German marque's third Polo R WRC last year.
The Dutchman currently sits a creditable 13th overall in his RC2 class Peugeot 208, despite suffering a broken front-left rim on that last stage.
Gronholm Ford Monte 2006
WRC - France: It's worth noting however that Marcus Gronholm, on his debut as a works Ford driver, triumphed at the Monte Carlo Rally in 2006.
Often featuring stages laden with snow and ice, the Monte isn't usually considered a bona fide asphalt event like France - but, that year, it was a particularly dry edition, so feel free to draw your own conclusion.
Makinen 1999 Sanremo Mitsubishi
WRC - France: No such woes for Latvala, though, who is firmly on course for his first ever win on asphalt in the WRC.
The last Finn to take win on the black stuff was Tommi Makinen, back in 1999 at the San Remo rally behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer. The four-time champion took victory by a margin of 18 seconds over Peugeot's Gilles Panizzi that weekend.
WRC - France: DAVID EVANS has been chatting to Ostberg's father Morten, who can confirm that Mads is heading for a 70 second penalty - which will leave him fending off Evans for seventh.
But, the Norwegian was unable to fully resolve the problem earlier, so he's expecting to lose more time during the twisty superspecial at Mulhouse later this afternoon, which kicks off at 5pm UK time.
But, the Norwegian was unable to fully resolve the problem earlier, so he's expecting to lose more time during the twisty superspecial at Mulhouse later this afternoon, which kicks off at 5pm UK time.
WRC - France: And the leading times after SS13:
1) Latvala 2h03m17.6s
2) Mikkelsen +25.6s
3) Meeke +51.0s
4) Sordo +1m38.1s
5) Kubica +1m38.4s
6) Ostberg +1m50.6s
7) Hirvonen +1m51.0s
8) Evans +3m11.1s
We've also learned that Ostberg is indeed likely to be slapped with a penalty for his earlier lateness, so Hirvonen will inherit sixth.
The top three positions look fairly set for the time being, with fourth place being the position most likely to change hands as Sordo and Kubica do battle.
1) Latvala 2h03m17.6s
2) Mikkelsen +25.6s
3) Meeke +51.0s
4) Sordo +1m38.1s
5) Kubica +1m38.4s
6) Ostberg +1m50.6s
7) Hirvonen +1m51.0s
8) Evans +3m11.1s
We've also learned that Ostberg is indeed likely to be slapped with a penalty for his earlier lateness, so Hirvonen will inherit sixth.
The top three positions look fairly set for the time being, with fourth place being the position most likely to change hands as Sordo and Kubica do battle.
WRC - France: So, that may or may not be Ogier's 300th stage win, depending on whether he is awarded a notional time. Assuming not, here are the leading times for the stage:
1) Ogier 11m56.9s
2) Latvala +5.3s
3) Meeke +5.9s
4) Kubica +6.0s
5) Mikkelsen +7.5s
6) Hirvonen +8.7s
7) Sordo +10.1s
8) Evans +10.5s
1) Ogier 11m56.9s
2) Latvala +5.3s
3) Meeke +5.9s
4) Kubica +6.0s
5) Mikkelsen +7.5s
6) Hirvonen +8.7s
7) Sordo +10.1s
8) Evans +10.5s
WRC - France: Mikkelsen drops another 1.6s to Meeke through that stage, and 2.2s to Latvala.
The rally leader fails to match Ogier's original benchmark by 5.3s, though it's not clear whether that time will stand.
The rally leader fails to match Ogier's original benchmark by 5.3s, though it's not clear whether that time will stand.
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WRC - France: The reason for Ostberg's lateness was that he had to fix a rear differential problem for his Citroen prior to that stage.
"There was a leak on the rear diff - there was no more oil in the diff. I had lots of instability at the rear."
Whether that will result in a penalty remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, in double drama for Citroen, Ostberg's team-mate Meeke is through a tenth faster than Kubica, but he arrives at the stop control with a front-right puncture.
"There was a leak on the rear diff - there was no more oil in the diff. I had lots of instability at the rear."
Whether that will result in a penalty remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, in double drama for Citroen, Ostberg's team-mate Meeke is through a tenth faster than Kubica, but he arrives at the stop control with a front-right puncture.
WRC - France: Sordo found some time in the final split, and just about clings on to fourth place by 0.3s from Kubica after dropping 4.1s to his rival.
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WRC - France: Kubica completes the stage, setting the best time since the stage resumed with a 12m02.9s.
Hirvonen loses 2.7s to his team-mate, while Sordo could be set to lose fourth to Kubica if the split times are anything to go by.
"We had a slow puncture, but only right at the end," says Hirvonen. "Kubica would still have been faster."
Hirvonen loses 2.7s to his team-mate, while Sordo could be set to lose fourth to Kubica if the split times are anything to go by.
"We had a slow puncture, but only right at the end," says Hirvonen. "Kubica would still have been faster."
WRC - France: It appears that Ostberg has started the stage late, after team-mate Meeke in fact.
Ordinarily, he'd have been due to start between Hirvonen and Sordo, so presumably there was a problem firing up his Citroen DS3 WRC.
Either way, not good news for the Norwegian.
Ordinarily, he'd have been due to start between Hirvonen and Sordo, so presumably there was a problem firing up his Citroen DS3 WRC.
Either way, not good news for the Norwegian.
WRC - France: Evans has made it through in 12m07.4s - some way off Ogier's original benchmark, but that should matter not.
WRC - France: Of course, Evans' split times compared to Ogier will be largely meaningless, as the Frenchman will most likely be given a notional time for the stage.
The crew of the errant zero-car, by the way, has been reported to be unhurt, which is good news.
The crew of the errant zero-car, by the way, has been reported to be unhurt, which is good news.
WRC - France: Evans is off, and SS13 is back up and running.
WRC - France: It appears the stage is about to get back under way, with Evans' M-Sport Ford poised to begin his run.
Delecour 2014 France
WRC - France: Going back to Delecour, he and his fellow Porsche 911 driver Romain Dumas incurred the wrath of the stewards yesterday, noted DAVID EVANS.
Dumas was reprimanded for alleged dangerous driving between stages six and seven (he’s in a four-litre Porker, for goodness’ sake…) while Delecour was forced to shell out €200 for the considerably less fever crime of wearing out of date underwear.
Apparently, Francois’ top was in contravention of Appendix L, Chapter III of the International Sporting Code.
WRC-2 - France: Glancing at the other classes, Gilbert has retaken the lead of WRC-2 from Sousa by 4.2s after SS12.
In WRC-3, Fisher continues to lead the way by 10.5s, with Sebastien Lefebvre now up to second ahead of Camilli.
In WRC-3, Fisher continues to lead the way by 10.5s, with Sebastien Lefebvre now up to second ahead of Camilli.
WRC - France: During this pause, it seems a good a time as any to update you on the R-GT situation.
We're sad to report that Francois Delecour has been forced to retire with a radiator issue after an off, meaning that Romain Dumas is unchallenged for class honours in his Porsche 911.
Prior to that, Delecour had been suffering with a clutch issue, which had left him 50 seconds down on Dumas.
That was on top of the fact that Delecour's 911 was 60kg and lacking in torque compared to that of Dumas - so a good effort all round by the 52-year-old WRC legend.
We're sad to report that Francois Delecour has been forced to retire with a radiator issue after an off, meaning that Romain Dumas is unchallenged for class honours in his Porsche 911.
Prior to that, Delecour had been suffering with a clutch issue, which had left him 50 seconds down on Dumas.
That was on top of the fact that Delecour's 911 was 60kg and lacking in torque compared to that of Dumas - so a good effort all round by the 52-year-old WRC legend.
WRC - France: When the stage resumes - and we're uncertain at this stage quite when that will be - Evans will be the first man through.
WRC - France: We're hearing that the stage will resume when a substitute zero-car goes through the stage.
It's likely that those that have been through the stage so far - Ogier, Protasov, Maurin, Kuipers and Neuville - will be given notional times for this stage.
It's likely that those that have been through the stage so far - Ogier, Protasov, Maurin, Kuipers and Neuville - will be given notional times for this stage.
Twitter
WRC - France: Mikko Hirvonen's official Twitter account is reporting that the zero-car has rolled, disrupting the stage - although, apparently, none of the main manufacturer runners have been affected.
We'll update you on this situation as it develops.
We'll update you on this situation as it develops.
Ogier GB 2008
WRC - France: "When was his first?" I hear you ask - the answer to that was SS2 on Rally GB back in 2008, behind the wheel of a Citroen C4, on his debut in a WRC car.
WRC - France: As Ogier completes SS13 with a time of 11m56.9s, it's worth noting that that was the reigning champion's 299th stage win. One more, and he'll hit the big 300.
WRC - France: And the overall standings with two stages still to run today:
1) Latvala 1hr51m15.4s
2) Mikkelsen +23.4s
3) Meeke +50.4s
4) Sordo +1m33.3s
5) Kubica +1m37.7s
6) Ostberg +1m43.9s
7) Hirvonen +1m47.6s
8) Evans +3m05.9s
1) Latvala 1hr51m15.4s
2) Mikkelsen +23.4s
3) Meeke +50.4s
4) Sordo +1m33.3s
5) Kubica +1m37.7s
6) Ostberg +1m43.9s
7) Hirvonen +1m47.6s
8) Evans +3m05.9s
WRC - France: Here are the leading times from SS12, as Meeke gets his Citroen cat firmly among the VW pigeons:
1) Ogier 9m31.4s
2) Meeke +2.7s
3) Latvala +3.0s
4) Mikkelsen +6.2s
5) Kubica +6.9s
6) Ostberg +8.5s
7) Evans +8.5s
8) Sordo +8.8s
1) Ogier 9m31.4s
2) Meeke +2.7s
3) Latvala +3.0s
4) Mikkelsen +6.2s
5) Kubica +6.9s
6) Ostberg +8.5s
7) Evans +8.5s
8) Sordo +8.8s
WRC - France: Ogier gets his first stage win of the rally as Latvala posts a time three seconds adrift - but the Finn won't be too concerned about that, as he gains a further 3.2s on Mikkelsen.
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WRC - France: Mikkelsen is 6.2s slower than Ogier, dropping a few seconds to Meeke to boot.
It's worth noting that Mikkelsen isn't playing the percentages here - he is going all-out to beat Latvala, so he told us, but the Norwegian concedes his team-mate is "just so quick."
It's worth noting that Mikkelsen isn't playing the percentages here - he is going all-out to beat Latvala, so he told us, but the Norwegian concedes his team-mate is "just so quick."
WRC - France: It's another impressive time for Meeke, who is just 2.7s shy of Ogier on that run - and 6.1s clear of Sordo.
Meanwhile, Mikkelsen has not got off to the best of starts, dropping 2.6s to Ogier in the first split.
Meanwhile, Mikkelsen has not got off to the best of starts, dropping 2.6s to Ogier in the first split.
WRC - France: Kubica edges closer to Sordo in the battle for fourth, as the Spaniard gives away another 1.9s in that stage.
Meeke is up next, followed by Mikkelsen and Latvala.
Meeke is up next, followed by Mikkelsen and Latvala.
WRC - France: It seems as if Ostberg lost some time late on in that stage, as the Citroen driver slots in between Kubica and Hirvonen to go joint third-quickest with Evans.
WRC - France: Here's Hirvonen, who loses ground to his team-mate with a time 2.6s slower than Kubica - a disappointing stage for the Finn after such a solid opening time on the previous test.
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WRC - France: Kubica takes the finish with a time 6.9s away from Ogier's pace.
"It's a tight battle and it's not easy because the pace is so strong," says the Pole. "It's so easy to make a mistake."
"It's a tight battle and it's not easy because the pace is so strong," says the Pole. "It's so easy to make a mistake."
WRC - France: Hirvonen goes 0.9s up on Kubica on that split, but Ostberg bests them both. The fight for fifth looks to be well and truly on.
WRC - France: The other two M-Sport Ford Fiestas of Kubica and Hirvonen are both on the stage now.
At the first split, Kubica is 3.7s down on Ogier.
At the first split, Kubica is 3.7s down on Ogier.
WRC - France: Evans is through as well, slotting into second for the stage and dropping 8.5s to Ogier.
WRC - France: It's an opening time that Neuville has fallen well short of, as the Belgian comes through with a time 10.6s slower than Ogier.
WRC - France: SS12, a second pass through Soultzeren - Le Grand Hohnack, is already history for Ogier, who sets a benchmark of 9m31.4s.
By: Jamie Klein, David Evans
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