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WRC - France: Here's Ogier, who completes the stage in 9m33.6s:
"Today everything is fine, the car is working well," says the reigning champion. "We're just trying to keep our rhythm."
"Today everything is fine, the car is working well," says the reigning champion. "We're just trying to keep our rhythm."
WRC - France: SS8, the 19.93km Soultzeren - Le Grand Hohnack test, is already underway, with Ogier once more first into the stage.
WRC - France: And the overall classification after SS7:
1) Latvala 1hr10m56.0s
2) Mikkelsen +10.9s
3) Meeke +30.6s
4) Sordo +1m01.9s
5) Ostberg +1m11.5s
6) Kubica +1m12.1s
7) Hirvonen +1m13.1s
8) Bouffier +2m13.3s
Main things to note from that stage are Kubica moving back into sixth and Evans overhauling Prokop for ninth.
Expect the Welshman to catch up with Bouffier, who is 22.4s ahead, by the end of the day, too.
1) Latvala 1hr10m56.0s
2) Mikkelsen +10.9s
3) Meeke +30.6s
4) Sordo +1m01.9s
5) Ostberg +1m11.5s
6) Kubica +1m12.1s
7) Hirvonen +1m13.1s
8) Bouffier +2m13.3s
Main things to note from that stage are Kubica moving back into sixth and Evans overhauling Prokop for ninth.
Expect the Welshman to catch up with Bouffier, who is 22.4s ahead, by the end of the day, too.
WRC - France: Here are the leading times from that stage:
1) Latvala 9m13.2s
2) Mikkelsen +2.7s
3) Ogier +3.7s
4) Kubica +7.4s
5) Meeke +7.5s
6) Evans +7.6s
7) Ostberg +9.6s
8) Neuville +9.7s
1) Latvala 9m13.2s
2) Mikkelsen +2.7s
3) Ogier +3.7s
4) Kubica +7.4s
5) Meeke +7.5s
6) Evans +7.6s
7) Ostberg +9.6s
8) Neuville +9.7s
WRC - France: Ogier is deposed by Mikkelsen, who goes one second faster than his team-mate with a 9m15.8s.
But it's Latvala who takes another stage win with a time 2.7s faster than his chief pursuer. His lead in the rally now stands at 10.9s.
But it's Latvala who takes another stage win with a time 2.7s faster than his chief pursuer. His lead in the rally now stands at 10.9s.
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WRC - France: Meeke goes third quickest, a tenth behind Kubica and 3.8s down on Ogier.
"I'm quite happy, we're just trying to protect our position from Sordo," says Meeke, who has extended the gap to the Spaniard by another 3.2s.
"I'm quite happy, we're just trying to protect our position from Sordo," says Meeke, who has extended the gap to the Spaniard by another 3.2s.
WRC - France: Ostberg is quicker than Hirvonen, but loses out to Kubica on that stage by 2.2s.
That means Kubica will be just 0.8s behind the Norwegian in the battle for fifth.
Sordo is also through, but sets the slowest time of the manufacturer runners so far, seven seconds away from Ogier's pace.
That means Kubica will be just 0.8s behind the Norwegian in the battle for fifth.
Sordo is also through, but sets the slowest time of the manufacturer runners so far, seven seconds away from Ogier's pace.
WRC - France: That's a disappointing time for Hirvonen, who sets a time 2.8s slower than Kubica - enough to drop him behind the Pole.
WRC - France: Kubica completes the stage, shading Evans by two tenths to slot into second behind Ogier.
WRC - France: Hirvonen is through the first split 1.5s up on Ogier. His main rival in the battle for fifth, Mads Ostberg is now also on the stage.
WRC - France: Evans is through, going second quickest so far with a time 3.9s shy of Ogier.
Next up to finish will be Martin Prokop, followed by Bryan Bouffier and the two remaining M-Sport Fords of Robert Kubica and Mikko Hirvonen.
Next up to finish will be Martin Prokop, followed by Bryan Bouffier and the two remaining M-Sport Fords of Robert Kubica and Mikko Hirvonen.
WRC - France: Neuville is at the end of the stage, but an apparent mistake on that stage has cost him six seconds relative to Ogier.
The Belgian lost three minutes to the leaders yesterday with a turbo problem, and was 39.4s away from scoring points coming into this one.
The Belgian lost three minutes to the leaders yesterday with a turbo problem, and was 39.4s away from scoring points coming into this one.
WRC - France: Elfyn Evans, 10th yesterday after an electrical issue resulted in a 1m40s penalty, is 1.4s quicker than Ogier through the first split.
Meanwhile, Neuville has lost time to Ogier, and is down 3.7s at the third split.
Meanwhile, Neuville has lost time to Ogier, and is down 3.7s at the third split.
WRC - France: Ogier has made it through the stage, his initial benchmark being a 9m16.8s.
We've got a brace of privateers to come after that, including Yuri Protasov, Julien Maurin and Dennis Kuipers, before we get the next of the manufacturer runners, which will be Thierry Neuville - who is three tenths faster than Ogier at the first split.
We've got a brace of privateers to come after that, including Yuri Protasov, Julien Maurin and Dennis Kuipers, before we get the next of the manufacturer runners, which will be Thierry Neuville - who is three tenths faster than Ogier at the first split.
WRC - France: At the head of the field, following last night's superspecial stage in Strasbourg, it's Ogier's nearest title rival Jari-Matti Latvala who continues to lead.
The Finn holds an advantage of 8.2s over the third works Volkswagen of Andreas Mikkelsen, with Britain's Kris Meeke safe in third for now, 23.1s off the lead.
Ogier holds a points lead of 50 over Latvala, but with the Frenchman unlikely to reach the top 10 in his home event, the gap between the pair is likely to narrow to around 25, depending on what happens on tomorrow's powerstage.
The Finn holds an advantage of 8.2s over the third works Volkswagen of Andreas Mikkelsen, with Britain's Kris Meeke safe in third for now, 23.1s off the lead.
Ogier holds a points lead of 50 over Latvala, but with the Frenchman unlikely to reach the top 10 in his home event, the gap between the pair is likely to narrow to around 25, depending on what happens on tomorrow's powerstage.
WRC - France: With the field in reverse order of yesterday's finishing positions, Sebastien Ogier is first on the road.
The reigning champion endured a nightmare opening day, losing almost nine minutes thanks to a gear sensor problem, a four-minute penalty for starting a stage early and a broken front-left damper.
The reigning champion endured a nightmare opening day, losing almost nine minutes thanks to a gear sensor problem, a four-minute penalty for starting a stage early and a broken front-left damper.
WRC - France: The first car has taken to the 18.9km Vallee de Munster stage, which sets the ball rolling for a second day with a total distance of 125.5km.
Good morning and welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live.
Our coverage of the Rally of France will be resuming shortly, as the second leg gets under way in just a couple of minutes' time.
Our coverage of the Rally of France will be resuming shortly, as the second leg gets under way in just a couple of minutes' time.
Breaking news
We'll leave you with a recap of the afternoon's action, as Latvala stretches his advantage in a rally that will no doubt prove pivotal in this year's title battle:
Latvala extends lead in France
Make sure you check AUTOSPORT.com later this evening to see how the drivers fare through the streets of Strasbourg on SS7.
Our live coverage of the rally will resume tomorrow morning at 7.30am UK time - hope you'll join us again then.
Latvala extends lead in France
Make sure you check AUTOSPORT.com later this evening to see how the drivers fare through the streets of Strasbourg on SS7.
Our live coverage of the rally will resume tomorrow morning at 7.30am UK time - hope you'll join us again then.
WRC-2 - France: Before we wrap up our coverage for the day, here's the latest from the support classes.
In WRC-2, Gilbert continues to lead the way by 10.6s from Sousa. Chardonnet, despite his puncture on SS5 is third, a further 1m52s back, with only four cars still running in the class.
Meanwhile, leading WRC-3 is still Hauswald, who is 18.1s clear of Fisher and 22.3s ahead of Giordano.
In WRC-2, Gilbert continues to lead the way by 10.6s from Sousa. Chardonnet, despite his puncture on SS5 is third, a further 1m52s back, with only four cars still running in the class.
Meanwhile, leading WRC-3 is still Hauswald, who is 18.1s clear of Fisher and 22.3s ahead of Giordano.
WRC - France: And the overall positions after SS6:
1) Latvala 58m07.3s
2) Mikkelsen +8.5s
3) Meeke +22.7s
4) Sordo +51.5s
5) Ostberg +57.6s
6) Hirvonen +1m00.0s
7) Kubica +1m01.2s
8) Bouffier +1m38.8s
1) Latvala 58m07.3s
2) Mikkelsen +8.5s
3) Meeke +22.7s
4) Sordo +51.5s
5) Ostberg +57.6s
6) Hirvonen +1m00.0s
7) Kubica +1m01.2s
8) Bouffier +1m38.8s
WRC - France: Here are the leading times from that stage:
1) Latvala 4m53.2s
2) Mikkelsen +4.0s
3) Kubica +5.0s
4) Meeke +5.5s
5) Ogier +5.7s
6) Evans +6.7s
7) Ostberg +8.2s
8) Sordo +8.2s
1) Latvala 4m53.2s
2) Mikkelsen +4.0s
3) Kubica +5.0s
4) Meeke +5.5s
5) Ogier +5.7s
6) Evans +6.7s
7) Ostberg +8.2s
8) Sordo +8.2s
WRC - France: Evans goes sixth quickest for the stage, missing out on the honour of top M-Sport driver by 1.7s to Kubica.
WRC - France: Sordo is through, 8.2s off the pace, falling further behind Meeke but keeping Ostberg at bay with a time identical to the Norwegian.
Kubica meanwhile goes 0.5s quicker than Meeke to go third for the stage with a storming time.
Kubica meanwhile goes 0.5s quicker than Meeke to go third for the stage with a storming time.
WRC - France: Ostberg, apparently with a rear transmission issue of some description, completes the stage a tenth quicker than Hirvonen, so his fifth place overall is safe for now.
Meeke meanwhile is once again the quickest non-VW man, slotting between Mikkelsen and Ogier into third for the stage, 5.5s down on Latvala.
Meeke meanwhile is once again the quickest non-VW man, slotting between Mikkelsen and Ogier into third for the stage, 5.5s down on Latvala.
WRC - France: Hirvonen completes the stage 8.3s slower than Latvala - but the man he'll be looking out for is Ostberg, who is just 2.3s ahead overall.
WRC - France: Latvala has really laid down the gauntlet to his nearest chaser Mikkelsen on that stage, as the Norwegian loses another four seconds.
That means Latvala will take a lead of 8.5s to this evening's stage in Strasbourg.
That means Latvala will take a lead of 8.5s to this evening's stage in Strasbourg.
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WRC - France: The two title protagonists are already through SS6.
Ogier drops yet more time to Latvala, who is 5.7s quicker than his team-mate on the second run through the short, sharp Pays de Salm test.
"A fantastic stage, I like it," says an upbeat Latvala. "I just need to do this two more times."
Ogier drops yet more time to Latvala, who is 5.7s quicker than his team-mate on the second run through the short, sharp Pays de Salm test.
"A fantastic stage, I like it," says an upbeat Latvala. "I just need to do this two more times."
Crash
WRC-2 - France: There's been some drama in the supporting class during that stage.
Chardonnet had been running fourth overall in WRC-2 after SS4, but is set to plummet down the order after having to stop to change a puncture in that stage, which took around two minutes.
Meanwhile, Tidemand appears to have rolled his car, meaning that's likely to be the end of the road for the Swede.
All of that means it will now be a straight fight between Gilbert and Sousa for class honours.
Chardonnet had been running fourth overall in WRC-2 after SS4, but is set to plummet down the order after having to stop to change a puncture in that stage, which took around two minutes.
Meanwhile, Tidemand appears to have rolled his car, meaning that's likely to be the end of the road for the Swede.
All of that means it will now be a straight fight between Gilbert and Sousa for class honours.
WRC - France: A glance at the overall standings reveals that Latvala has stretched his advantage at the head of the field over Mikkelsen:
1) Latvala 53m14.1s
2) Mikkelsen +4.5s
3) Meeke +17.2s
4) Sordo +43.3s
5) Ostberg +49.4s
6) Hirvonen +51.7s
7) Kubica +56.2s
8) Bouffier +1m26.7s
1) Latvala 53m14.1s
2) Mikkelsen +4.5s
3) Meeke +17.2s
4) Sordo +43.3s
5) Ostberg +49.4s
6) Hirvonen +51.7s
7) Kubica +56.2s
8) Bouffier +1m26.7s
WRC - France: Here are the leading positions for SS5:
1) Latvala 18m31.5s
2) Mikkelsen +4.3s
3) Meeke +9.2s
4) Hirvonen +13.2s
5) Neuville +13.7s
6) Evans +17.0s
7) Sordo +17.8s
8) Ogier +19.2s
1) Latvala 18m31.5s
2) Mikkelsen +4.3s
3) Meeke +9.2s
4) Hirvonen +13.2s
5) Neuville +13.7s
6) Evans +17.0s
7) Sordo +17.8s
8) Ogier +19.2s
WRC - France: Evans slots into sixth for the stage, 17 seconds off the pace.
WRC - France: Kubica reports a spin at a hairpin towards the end of the stage, which cost the Pole almost 10 seconds, dropping him behind team-mate Hirvonen overall.
WRC - France: Sordo completes the stage 8.6s slower than Meeke, giving the Brit a 25-second buffer over the Spaniard in the overall classification.
WRC - France: Ostberg is disappointingly slow through that pass, setting our slowest time so far by nine seconds, but fellow factory Citroen man Meeke slots into third, 9.2s down on Latvala.
With Sordo consistently slower than the Ulsterman so far through this stage, Meeke's grip on third overall looks to be tightening.
With Sordo consistently slower than the Ulsterman so far through this stage, Meeke's grip on third overall looks to be tightening.
WRC - France: Hirvonen is through, losing a further 13.2s to his former works Ford team-mate Latvala, while Neuville is still struggling for pace, posting a time half a second down on Hirvonen.
WRC - France: Latvala stretches his legs at the head of the field after that stage, as Mikkelsen goes 4.3s slower.
Next up will be Hirvonen, followed by Neuville, Ostberg and Meeke.
Next up will be Hirvonen, followed by Neuville, Ostberg and Meeke.
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WRC - France: Ogier is through the stage, having apparently suffered a broken front-left damper.
His benchmark of 18m50.7s is immediately bettered by Latvala to the tune of 19.2s.
"Not the day I wanted, but there is nothing left to lose," the philosophical Frenchman says at the end of the stage.
His benchmark of 18m50.7s is immediately bettered by Latvala to the tune of 19.2s.
"Not the day I wanted, but there is nothing left to lose," the philosophical Frenchman says at the end of the stage.
WRC - France: Mikkelsen has lost more time to Latvala, falling 2.1s back at the fourth split from the Finn, who was 8.4s ahead of Ogier at the same point.
WRC - France: Mikkelsen falls three tenths back from Latvala at the second split, while Latvala remains 5.6s clear of Ogier at the third.
By: Jamie Klein, David Evans
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