WRC Portugal
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fords
M-Sport’s range of Ford Fiesta rally cars make up 49 per cent of the Rally of Portugal entry this year.
There are six RS WRCs, five RRCs, two S2000s, 14 R5s and 15 R2 cars tackling the stages.
That's 42 Fiestas in total and every one of them built at M-Sport's facility in Cumbria.
Malcolm Wilson is understandably proud at the impact his company was having on the WRC.
"This is the most cars we've had on a WRC round," said the M-Sport head honcho.
"We've had a bigger percentage of the entry – we've had over 50 per cent in the past – but as you imagine I'm very pleased with this.
"This is a fair reflection of the hard work which has gone in by everybody in M-Sport."
Chris wood
Be sure to check out DAVID EVANS'S latest feature while you munch on your lunch today.
It focuses on Chris Wood, who was once one of Britain's top rally co-drivers but was rendered tetraplegic after a cycling accident two years ago.
The motorsport community is now digging deep to help him and his amazing story will undoubtedly inspire you.
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Meeke
When the crews aren't competing in the stages, driving on the road sections, or eating and sleeping, they can usually be found watching their onboard videos of the stages.
Like Citroen's Kris Meeke.
"It helps to familiarise you with the stages," said the Brit.
"It prompts the memory – you might remember going through this section here or that farm there, but you are absolutely not memorising the stages at all."
Twitter
Hanninen's co-driver Tomi Tuominen managed to take a quick pic of Kubica's road-blocking Fiesta on the previous stage:
"My view SS4 @rallydeportugal pic.twitter.com/TbcpZ10joy"
"My view SS4 @rallydeportugal pic.twitter.com/TbcpZ10joy"
The WRC convey is currently en route to the first of this afternoon's stages. Not too long to go before we get going again - 12 minutes, in fact.
Lights out
Ogier is onto SS5 and we're up and running again in Portugal.
Sordo was fastest through the 21.50km Silves test this morning. He completed it in 12m25.5s and gave the Hyundai i20 its first WRC stage victory.
Times should be quicker this afternoon now that everyone has run through the stages and the loose gravel has been displaced.
For those just joining us, the overall leaderboard looks like this at the moment:
1 Ogier 44m28.3s; 2 Latvala +0.4s; 3 Hirvonen +2.3s; 4 Tanak +5.5s; 5 Sordo +8.9s; 6 Ostberg +9.0s.
1 Ogier 44m28.3s; 2 Latvala +0.4s; 3 Hirvonen +2.3s; 4 Tanak +5.5s; 5 Sordo +8.9s; 6 Ostberg +9.0s.
Ostberg is 2.5s quicker than Ogier and Latvala at the first split. The Norwegian is third on the road this afternoon.
Crash
We're hearing that Latvala may have rolled in the stage. He hasn't reached the third split...
Team-mate Ogier is through to the finish. His time is 11m53.8s.
"It's really different; good grip. I'm happy with that."
"It's really different; good grip. I'm happy with that."
Still waiting for more information regarding Latvala. In the meantime, Ostberg is the second driver to complete the stage and does so in 12m05.4s.
He gave a brief idea of what happened to the VW driver:
"Maybe not rolled, but he's crashed at least."
He gave a brief idea of what happened to the VW driver:
"Maybe not rolled, but he's crashed at least."
Mikkelsen's next through the finishing line. No dramas for the Norwegian today and his confidence seems to be improving. He completes Silves in 12.11.3s.
Breaking news
Confirmation that Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila are okay.
Next up is Hirvonen, who slots into second place, 2.7s off Ogier.
A cautious Meeke posts a time 20.6s slower than Ogier.
"Grip is incredible on the second pass," says the Citroen driver. "It was okay and I am happy."
"Grip is incredible on the second pass," says the Citroen driver. "It was okay and I am happy."
Tanank
A great time by Tanak, who is just 0.9s slower than Ogier and goes into second place! He'll move up to third overall thanks to Latvala's mid-stage mishap.
Like Hirvonen, Neuville is running on Michelin's soft compound tyre for this afternoon's loop of stages. But the drying conditions are making that decision look unwisely.
The Belgian finished the stage 9.2s slower than Ogier.
The Belgian finished the stage 9.2s slower than Ogier.
Sordo's splits indicate he won't be repeating his stage winning antics of this morning...
...and sure enough, he hasn't. He completes the stage 7.2s behind Ogier to go fourth quickest.
Checkered flag
SS5 results: 1 Ogier 11m53.8s; 2 Tanak +0.9s; 3 Hirvonen +2.7s; 4 Sordo +7.2s; 5 Neuville +9.2s; 6 Ostberg +11.6s.
Overall: 1 Ogier 56m22.1s; 2 Hirvonen +5.0s; 3 Tanak +6.4s; 4 Sordo +16.1s; 5 Ostberg +20.6s; 6 Neuville +42.8s.
Overall: 1 Ogier 56m22.1s; 2 Hirvonen +5.0s; 3 Tanak +6.4s; 4 Sordo +16.1s; 5 Ostberg +20.6s; 6 Neuville +42.8s.
Henning Solberg currently occupies seventh, being 1m21.5s off the ultimate pace. The popular Norwegian is just 0.8s ahead of Hanninen, so that'll be a battle to watch this afternoon.
As we reported earlier, the likes of Hirvonen, Tanak and Neuville are on the soft compound tyre at the moment and they're looking just a little ragged.
Ogier's gamble to go on the harder tyres looks like it will pay dividends this afternoon.
We reckon various WRC teams will soon be participating in a rain dance.
Ogier's gamble to go on the harder tyres looks like it will pay dividends this afternoon.
We reckon various WRC teams will soon be participating in a rain dance.
The second of this afternoon's stages is the shortened Ourique, which gets underway at 15:51. So just under 10 minutes, then.
Lights out
The penultimate stage of the day is underway and it is Ogier leading Ostberg and Mikkelsen following Latvala's roll on SS5.
Sordo was the quickest through this stage this morning with a time of 12m20.8s.
Quick weather update from the Algarve Stadium... it's cloudy.
Breaking news
Latvala reports that he ran wide on SS5, hit a rock face, then flipped his Polo R which sent him into a roll.
Breaking news
This is definitely breaking news... after an hour chatting with Rally Australia clerk of the course Adrian Stafford, AUTOSPORT is sad to report the demise of the Tuckers Nob stage on Rally Oz.
Part of the most season's most amusingly named test will be used as a back-up plan for shakedown on the September event - but nobody will be fastest on Tuckers Nob this year. Shame.
AUTOSPORT.com will have a detailed outline of Rally Australia's plans later next week. Just thought we should bring you the important stuff first.
Part of the most season's most amusingly named test will be used as a back-up plan for shakedown on the September event - but nobody will be fastest on Tuckers Nob this year. Shame.
AUTOSPORT.com will have a detailed outline of Rally Australia's plans later next week. Just thought we should bring you the important stuff first.
Ostberg is only 0.2s behind Ogier at the first split in SS6.
We also have a little bit more detail from Elfyn Evans' crash on SS4. Ace Ralio reporter Howard Davies (he who guided Gwyndaf Evans to a British title and multiple rally wins - but now known for being the sport's funniest fella) has spoken to Evans Jr and it's hoped he'll be back out tomorrow.
Seems Elfyn turned in a little late for a fourth-gear corner and the car got away from him.
Seems Elfyn turned in a little late for a fourth-gear corner and the car got away from him.
Ogier completes the stage in 12m13.5s.
"The pressure is on," reckons the reigning champion. "I think those behind should be a bit faster - I found the stage a bit slippery."
"The pressure is on," reckons the reigning champion. "I think those behind should be a bit faster - I found the stage a bit slippery."
Ostberg
Ostberg couldn't match Ogier's pace through the whole stage and posts a time of 12.15.0s - 1.5s slower than Ogier.
"It was quite a good stage," says the Norweigan. "I was really slow on the stage before, but a great improvement this afternoon."
Mikkelsen third through to the finish with a time 14.3s slower than Ogier's best. He reports he is struggling with understeer.
Stopwatch
Hirvonen going very well today - he's just beaten Ogier's time by 2.6s and is now just 2.4s behind in the overall classification.
Meeke completes the stage with his left front tyre half off its rim! His time is 19.9s slower than Hirvonen's.
Stopwatch
And Neuville goes quickest of all! 0.5s quicker than Hirvonen's best.
Tanak posts a time of 12m11.5s, which is 1.1s slower than Neuville's and makes him the third fastest through the stage.
No punctures of Solberg on his second run through this stage. The Norweigan completes it in 12m20.1s.
By: Dan Cross, David Evans, Scott Mitchell, Charles Bradley
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