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WRC France
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WRC - France: Meeke goes second quickest, pipping Latvala by 0.2s. That will leave the Ulsterman third overall heading into the next stage.
Evans meanwhile slots into fourth, 7.7s slower than Mikkelsen.
Evans meanwhile slots into fourth, 7.7s slower than Mikkelsen.
WRC - France: Ogier isn't the only driver to suffer on that stage. Neuville also suffered a loss of power with his Hyundai, compounded by a brief trip into a ditch.
All of that cost the Belgian around a minute. In the meantime, Ostberg has gone third quickest, 14.1s down on countryman Mikkelsen.
All of that cost the Belgian around a minute. In the meantime, Ostberg has gone third quickest, 14.1s down on countryman Mikkelsen.
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WRC - France: Ogier has finally made it, but he's lost 4m12s to Latvala.
"The engine cut, possibly linked to the gears in some way," he explains.
Mikkelsen meanwhile comes through 3.8s quicker than Latvala, giving the Norwegian the lead of the rally for the time being.
"The engine cut, possibly linked to the gears in some way," he explains.
Mikkelsen meanwhile comes through 3.8s quicker than Latvala, giving the Norwegian the lead of the rally for the time being.
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WRC - France: Latvala is through, setting a benchmark of 18m37.3s.
"I don't have a good feeling with the car," admits Latvala. "I couldn't feel the brakes and I don't have much confidence at the moment."
"I don't have a good feeling with the car," admits Latvala. "I couldn't feel the brakes and I don't have much confidence at the moment."
WRC - France: Mikkelsen has now passed Ogier on the stage, which means the Frenchman has dropped four minutes.
Disaster for the championship leader - not only has he clearly a serious issue, it's happened on the longest stage of the rally.
Disaster for the championship leader - not only has he clearly a serious issue, it's happened on the longest stage of the rally.
WRC - France: Latvala has made it through the third split, and he's 3m23s up on Ogier.
But, through the previous split, it was Mikkelsen who was quickest, 2.7s up on Latvala.
But, through the previous split, it was Mikkelsen who was quickest, 2.7s up on Latvala.
WRC - France: It's looking worse for Ogier than initially thought - through the second split, he's haemorrhaged 2m38s to Mikkelsen.
WRC - France: More drama for Ogier, as the Frenchman comes to a stop on the stage. He's got going again, but Latvala has passed him, implying a time loss of at least two minutes.
WRC - France: Not an auspicious start for Ogier - the reigning champion has suffered a half-spin early on the stage.
If Latvala still wants to win this title, this is an opportunity he needs to seize.
If Latvala still wants to win this title, this is an opportunity he needs to seize.
WRC - France: Four minutes behind schedule, SS2 is now live.
Ogier will be first on the road again, from Latvala, Mikkelsen, Hirvonen, Neuville, Ostberg, Meeke and Evans.
Ogier will be first on the road again, from Latvala, Mikkelsen, Hirvonen, Neuville, Ostberg, Meeke and Evans.
WRC-3 - France: In the junior class, Martin Koci sets the early pace with a 6m13.1s, ahead of Frenchman Quentin Giordano and Britain's Alistair Fisher.
SS2, meanwhile, is about to get under way.
SS2, meanwhile, is about to get under way.
WRC-2 - France: Quickest so far in the intermediate class is in fact another home driver, Quentin Gilbert, who goes fastest with a 5m57.3s.
Next up is Chardonnet, half a second behind, and then it's Sousa and Tidemand, who are both a further 1.2s back.
Next up is Chardonnet, half a second behind, and then it's Sousa and Tidemand, who are both a further 1.2s back.
WRC - France: The second stage, Vosges - Pays D'Ormont, is the longest of the rally at 34.34km. The leading drivers will be starting to tackle that one in around 15 minutes' time.
In the meantime, we'll keep you updated on the WRC-2 action, as Pontus Tidemand, Bernardo Sousa and local man Sebastien Chardonnet take to the stage.
In the meantime, we'll keep you updated on the WRC-2 action, as Pontus Tidemand, Bernardo Sousa and local man Sebastien Chardonnet take to the stage.
WRC - France: And with that, we can confirm the order after SS1:
1) Latvala 5m34.9s
2) Ogier +0.3s
3) Mikkelsen +0.5s
4) Meeke +0.7s
5) Neuville +3.3s
6) Evans +3.8s
7) Ostberg +5.0s
8) Kubica +5.2s
9) Sordo +6.4s
10) Hirvonen +7.2s
Based on those times, you'd get short odds on a VW victory this weekend.
1) Latvala 5m34.9s
2) Ogier +0.3s
3) Mikkelsen +0.5s
4) Meeke +0.7s
5) Neuville +3.3s
6) Evans +3.8s
7) Ostberg +5.0s
8) Kubica +5.2s
9) Sordo +6.4s
10) Hirvonen +7.2s
Based on those times, you'd get short odds on a VW victory this weekend.
WRC - France: The remaining Hyundais have made it through, Sordo setting only the ninth best time - just behind former F1 star Kubica, who is 5.2s off the pace set by Latvala.
WRC - France: Evans goes sixth quickest through the opener, 3.8s down on Latvala but 3.4s up on struggling M-Sport team-mate Hirvonen.
Of the works entries, it's just the two remaining Hyundais of Bryan Bouffier and Dani Sordo, as well as the final M-Sport Ford of Robert Kubica, that we're waiting for.
Of the works entries, it's just the two remaining Hyundais of Bryan Bouffier and Dani Sordo, as well as the final M-Sport Ford of Robert Kubica, that we're waiting for.
WRC - France: Both works Citroens have come through the stage, and, true to recent form, it's Meeke who is easily the quicker.
The Ulsterman slots into fourth overall, just 0.7s slower than Latvala, while Ostberg goes sixth behind Neuville, 5.0s down.
The Ulsterman slots into fourth overall, just 0.7s slower than Latvala, while Ostberg goes sixth behind Neuville, 5.0s down.
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WRC - France: Hirvonen's made it through, but he's 7.2s down on his compatriot Latvala.
"Not a good start. You make one mistake and you lose a lot of time," says the Finn.
Neuville's finished the first stage too, and he slots into fourth behind the three VWs, 3.3s slower than Jari-Matti.
"Not a good start. You make one mistake and you lose a lot of time," says the Finn.
Neuville's finished the first stage too, and he slots into fourth behind the three VWs, 3.3s slower than Jari-Matti.
WRC - France: Mikkelsen completes the stage, setting a time 0.5s shy of Latvala.
Next up will be Hirvonen in the M-Sport Ford, followed by Neuville's Hyundai and the works Citroens of Ostberg and Meeke.
Next up will be Hirvonen in the M-Sport Ford, followed by Neuville's Hyundai and the works Citroens of Ostberg and Meeke.
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WRC - France: Ogier is through in a time of 5m35.2s.
"Not a bad time for us, though we had a bit of understeer," says the reigning champion at the end of the stage.
Latvala beats that by 0.3s, so it's first blood to the Finn between the title contenders.
"Not a bad time for us, though we had a bit of understeer," says the reigning champion at the end of the stage.
Latvala beats that by 0.3s, so it's first blood to the Finn between the title contenders.
WRC - France: Latvala, who topped yesterday's shakedown, has now hit the stage too. Mikkelsen will be hot on his heels in the third VW Polo R WRC.
WRC - France: Ogier is on the stage, setting the ball rolling for his home rally - which, incidentally, is the first edition of the Rally of France not to feature a certain Sebastien Loeb since 1998.
WRC - France: The running order for the morning follows the championship order, which currently looks something like this:
1) Ogier 214pts
2) Latvala 164pts
3) Mikkelsen 125pts
4) Hirvonen 83pts
5) Neuville 79pts
6) Ostberg 74pts
7) Meeke 67pts
8) Evans 61pts
With just two rounds to go after this one, Latvala desperately needs to close the gap to his VW team-mate Ogier this weekend to keep his title hopes alive.
1) Ogier 214pts
2) Latvala 164pts
3) Mikkelsen 125pts
4) Hirvonen 83pts
5) Neuville 79pts
6) Ostberg 74pts
7) Meeke 67pts
8) Evans 61pts
With just two rounds to go after this one, Latvala desperately needs to close the gap to his VW team-mate Ogier this weekend to keep his title hopes alive.
WRC - France: The opening test of the rally, the 11.11km Col de la Charbonniere, will be getting under way in just a few minutes.
That will be the first of a three-stage morning loop before the crews head back for midday service, with the afternoon loop commencing at 1.03pm UK time.
The day will finish with a short 4.67km blast through Strasbourg at 7pm, bringing the total distance for the day to 114.75km.
That will be the first of a three-stage morning loop before the crews head back for midday service, with the afternoon loop commencing at 1.03pm UK time.
The day will finish with a short 4.67km blast through Strasbourg at 7pm, bringing the total distance for the day to 114.75km.
Good morning and a very warm welcome to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live.
Today, and throughout the rest of the weekend, we'll be bringing you blow-by-commentary of the Rally of France, which kicks off in just a few minutes' time.
Today, and throughout the rest of the weekend, we'll be bringing you blow-by-commentary of the Rally of France, which kicks off in just a few minutes' time.
By: Jamie Klein, David Evans
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