WRC Rally of Portugal
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"Driving wise it's OK but lacking in power," says Mikkelsen, "after what happened yesterday we had to do some changes to make it less."
Mikkeslen's off the pace though - he sets a 11m01.4s and is 7s off the top. There's no need for him to push.
They still have powerstage points to fight for. Manufacturer points are possible too.
We have Mikkelsen, Ogier and Latvala next up - all of whom were severely delayed yesterday.
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"That's enough," Neuville says on his two tenths advantage, "a good stage, I tried to be careful, it's quite slippy in some parts, but OK."
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Neuville goes fastest - 0.2s quicker than Lappi!
Neuville is quickest of the lot in the final split, 0.7s up on Lappi.
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"It was quite slippery in places," says Evans, "the grip is lower than yesterday."
Evans is home and is second - 0.7s off Lappi but 2.2s quicker than Sordo in third.
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"A little bit slippy on the stage," says Sordo. "We don't have the same feelings as yesterday, it's a little bit soft - we have to do something now."
Evans meanwhile is 0.7s off Lappi at the final split.
Sordo is home and is second on the stage - 2.9s shy of Lappi.
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"It wasn't the best run, I wasn't flat out," says an honest Suninen, "I need to be over the limit to get the best time."
Suninen finishes the stage, 4.7s down on Lappi.
Sordo next up is 2.2s off Lappi at the final split.
Suninen is next on the road, he's 3.6s off Lappi at the final split.
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"All the drivers ahead on the road are behind me already so I don't have to worry about them," says a matter of fact Lappi. "I tried to push, not a perfect run, but I'm satisfied."
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A great time from Lappi - 10m54.8s - 5.8s quicker!
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"It was a good stage," smiles Ostberg, "a nice feeling in there, just a good rhythm and everything was working nice - I know all the buttons!"
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Ostberg pips Meeke by 1.3s to go quickest!
Now Ostberg is only 0.3s off Meeke at the final split. Lappi continues to be the quickest of the lot - 5.3s under Meeke's final split mark.
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"I'm enjoying my driving," says a positive Meeke, "even yesterday when we had our troubles. I remember the stage last year was really horrific. I can really get my teeth into it."
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Meeke sets a 11m01.9s, 11s quicker than team-mate Breen.
Lappi is quicker than all of them after two splits - 3.1s up on Meeke.
Meeke continues to stretch clear of Breen - he's 7.4s clear at the final split. Meeke's quicker than Ostberg, too.
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Breen completes the stage - and sets a 11m13.0s
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Meeke is 4.9s quicker than Breen after two splits.
David Evans
The service park at Rally Portugal is always one of the busiest of the year, but getting in early meant we were able to bag a fan-free pic of two of the World Rally Championship’s most fever liveries in one shot.
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Autosport’s guide to the stage:
SS10 Vieira do Minho (10.83 miles)
After the opening day to the north close to the Spanish border, the rally turns inland on Saturday. This stage runs through the Sierra Cabreira mountains and includes a couple of small stretches of asphalt linking the gravel sections. For the most part the stage is quick and flowing, but there are places where it narrows down and gets really technical.
On top of that, this is where the cleaning effect will really start to come into play. Traditionally, it’s this stage and Cabeceiras de Basto that have been covered with the most loose gravel.
SS10 Vieira do Minho (10.83 miles)
After the opening day to the north close to the Spanish border, the rally turns inland on Saturday. This stage runs through the Sierra Cabreira mountains and includes a couple of small stretches of asphalt linking the gravel sections. For the most part the stage is quick and flowing, but there are places where it narrows down and gets really technical.
On top of that, this is where the cleaning effect will really start to come into play. Traditionally, it’s this stage and Cabeceiras de Basto that have been covered with the most loose gravel.
Green flag
We're underway, Craig Breen's Citroen today provides the road-sweeping duties.
He blocked the stage for Teemu Suninen and Mads Ostberg, who later were given notional times for the seventh stage.
Hayden Paddon led, but then he crashed out in stage seven: 
Sebastien Ogier was in fourth position and just 7.3s off the lead when he started the afternoon's re-run stages, and he slid off the road in Viana do Castelo after clipping a bank : 
And if you’re wondering where some very prestigious names are, Ott Tanak’s rally ended after suffering what is believed to be an oil-related issue on the morning's first stage.Then his Toyota team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala retired with broken front-right suspension on the next stage: 
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Here's how the leading positions look ahead of this morning's first stage:
Overall classification
1 Neuville 1h37m30.7s
2 Evans +17.7s
3 Sordo +24.3s
4 Suninen +34.4s
5 Lappi +45.8s
6 Ostberg +48.3s
7 Meeke +1m18.7s
8 Breen +2m27.3s
Overall classification
1 Neuville 1h37m30.7s
2 Evans +17.7s
3 Sordo +24.3s
4 Suninen +34.4s
5 Lappi +45.8s
6 Ostberg +48.3s
7 Meeke +1m18.7s
8 Breen +2m27.3s
And here’s our latest report yesterday from the chaotic first full day of the rally, which Thierry Neuville led : 
Today is the longest leg, heading east to demanding roads in the Cabreira mountains. There are three stages this morning and crews will then do the same three again this afternoon.
Good morning and welcome back to Autosport Live’s coverage of the World Rally Championship's Rally Portugal round.
By: Matt Beer
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