WRC Sardinia, WTCC Moscow
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WRC - Italy: In WRC2, Lorenzo Bertelli is on course for his maiden win in ninth overall, after both Yazeed Al-Rahji and Nasser Al-Attiyah crashed at the same spot on different runnings of Monte Lerno yesterday.
WRC - Italy: We're straight onto SS16, with Melicharek beginning that 14km stage now.
Latvala still has two more chances to minimise the points loss to Ogier: if he wants second back from Ostberg he has to try to capitalise on this stage as it's the longer of our remaining two, and then he has to make sure he nails the Powerstage.
Latvala still has two more chances to minimise the points loss to Ogier: if he wants second back from Ostberg he has to try to capitalise on this stage as it's the longer of our remaining two, and then he has to make sure he nails the Powerstage.
Checkered flag
WRC - Italy - SS15 results:
Stage:
1 Latvala 10m29.7s
2 Ostberg +1.4s
3 Ogier +8.0s
4 Mikkelsen +8.9s
5 Evans +10.8s
6 Neuville +13.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Ostberg +1m19.1s
3 Latvala +1m42.2s
4 Mikkelsen +2m26.1s
5 Evans +4m28.2s
6 Prokop +5m43.3s
Stage:
1 Latvala 10m29.7s
2 Ostberg +1.4s
3 Ogier +8.0s
4 Mikkelsen +8.9s
5 Evans +10.8s
6 Neuville +13.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Ostberg +1m19.1s
3 Latvala +1m42.2s
4 Mikkelsen +2m26.1s
5 Evans +4m28.2s
6 Prokop +5m43.3s
WRC - Italy: it's another chilled stage for Ogier, who slots in third fastest behind Latvala and Ostberg.
"Always when you have a gap like that the target is to stay concentrated and do the job," says Ogier, who says he's still planning a push on the Powerstage.
"Always when you have a gap like that the target is to stay concentrated and do the job," says Ogier, who says he's still planning a push on the Powerstage.
WRC - Italy: Latvala was right! Ostberg is 1.4s slower through the stage.
But the gap is still 23s with two stages to go.
But the gap is still 23s with two stages to go.
Quote
WRC - Italy: "Mads did a really good first stage, but he also did a very good tyre choice - two softs and two hards," says Latvala.
"Let's see how it is. I had a good stage, let's see if it's enough."
He's optimistic that he ended the stage well and Ostberg's early pace will prove deceptive.
"Let's see how it is. I had a good stage, let's see if it's enough."
He's optimistic that he ended the stage well and Ostberg's early pace will prove deceptive.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Latvala is a full 9s quicker than Mikkelsen, but looking at Ostberg's pace on the splits, that won't help.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Evans' time on top is shortlived as Andreas Mikkelsen beats him by a couple of seconds.
Mikkelsen was tracking Ostberg yesterday and intending to pounce for a podium, before a damper problem cost him time and left him a more distant fourth.
Mikkelsen was tracking Ostberg yesterday and intending to pounce for a podium, before a damper problem cost him time and left him a more distant fourth.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Elfyn Evans is three seconds quicker than Neuville and becomes our stage benchmark.
WRC - Italy: Henning Solberg and Martin Prokop come through without drama, but all eyes on for the battle for second, with Ostberg faster than Latvala on the splits so far.
WRC - Italy: Robert Kubica comes through a close second, 0.7s behind Neuville's time.
Unless there's trouble ahead, eighth is going to be Kubica's limit now.
"Yesterday I think I was on the edge of being very unlucky - normally 100 times through you'd be fine..." he says of his mistake on Saturday's closer.
Unless there's trouble ahead, eighth is going to be Kubica's limit now.
"Yesterday I think I was on the edge of being very unlucky - normally 100 times through you'd be fine..." he says of his mistake on Saturday's closer.
WRC - Italy: Hyundai looked like it still might salvage some points with its new recruit Hayden Paddon, but the Kiwi had to stop on the final stage yesterday with a misfire.
He's back under Rally 2 now and running 13th, though picking off WRC2 man Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari for 12th should be straightforward. Paddon is currently second fastest on this stage between Neuville and Meeke.
He's back under Rally 2 now and running 13th, though picking off WRC2 man Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari for 12th should be straightforward. Paddon is currently second fastest on this stage between Neuville and Meeke.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Neuville's Hyundai beats Meeke's Citroen by 17s.
Neuville was leading on Friday before a suspension problem plunged him down the order.
He's currently 17th, and that's about as good as it's going to get as the next car up the leaderboard is five minutes ahead.
Neuville was leading on Friday before a suspension problem plunged him down the order.
He's currently 17th, and that's about as good as it's going to get as the next car up the leaderboard is five minutes ahead.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Unsurprisingly Meeke is significantly quicker than Melicharek, going fastest for now with a time over 40s better. He reports a large amount of rocks to dodge on that stage.
"Absolutely no risks," says Meeke, who is down in 19th overall after his Friday problems.
"Absolutely no risks," says Meeke, who is down in 19th overall after his Friday problems.
WRC - Italy: Melicharek kicks this stage off with a benchmark time of 11m49.7s.
Quote
WRC - Italy: Latvala told AUTOSPORT last night that he wouldn't have been able to defend his lead even if he hadn't damaged a wheel rim early in the Monte Lerno stage last night.
The Finn suffered brake problems with his Polo and said he would have been powerless to stop Ogier coming past.
"I don't know what caused the problem," he said, "but we had some problems with the rear brakes.
"We have to sort this out. I was having to push the pedal twice and only the third time it was starting to slow the car down.
"OK, it was my fault for the wheel, but anyway, he would have passed me because of the brakes."
The Finn suffered brake problems with his Polo and said he would have been powerless to stop Ogier coming past.
"I don't know what caused the problem," he said, "but we had some problems with the rear brakes.
"We have to sort this out. I was having to push the pedal twice and only the third time it was starting to slow the car down.
"OK, it was my fault for the wheel, but anyway, he would have passed me because of the brakes."
Marty McCormack
WRC - Italy: DAVID EVANS has been trying to share his excitement over Marty McCormack's livery all weekend, but this morning he has succeeded:
"As promised, Marty McCormack's fierce-looking Fiesta in service this morning.
"The WRC2 driver will be looking for a better run on the final day, having only completed 24 miles of competition yesterday; his first run through Monte Lerno was cancelled and he suffered a broken differential in the afternoon.
"The result might not have gone his way, but he does have Rally Italy's coolest-looking car - certainly not one you're likely to run into the back of..."
WRC - Italy: Running order this morning has Slovakia's Jaroslav Melicharek being a road-sweeper, then Rally 2 runners Kris Meeke and Thierry Neuville before we get into the top 10 drivers.
WRC - Italy: There's not a lot of time for Latvala to chase down the Citroen either.
We've got two 14km stages in quick succession this morning - Castelsardo and Tergu-Osilo - then a quick break before returning to Cala Flumini for the Powerstage finale.
We've got two 14km stages in quick succession this morning - Castelsardo and Tergu-Osilo - then a quick break before returning to Cala Flumini for the Powerstage finale.
WRC - Italy: That dramatic turn of events meant Ogier felt able to cruise through the first stage we had this morning, which began just after 7.30am this morning.
He was only eighth quickest on Cala Flumini, while Ostberg went quickest and proved that Latvala is going to have to fight hard to regain any positions.
SS14 results:
Stage:
1 Ostberg 5m50.9s
2 Mikkelsen +1.9s
3 Latvala +3.2s
4 Neuville +9.8s
5 Paddon +10.3s
6 Kubica +13.4s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Ostberg +1m25.7s
3 Latvala +1m50.2s
4 Mikkelsen +2m25.2s
5 Evans +4m25.4s
6 Prokop +5m26.4s
He was only eighth quickest on Cala Flumini, while Ostberg went quickest and proved that Latvala is going to have to fight hard to regain any positions.
SS14 results:
Stage:
1 Ostberg 5m50.9s
2 Mikkelsen +1.9s
3 Latvala +3.2s
4 Neuville +9.8s
5 Paddon +10.3s
6 Kubica +13.4s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Ostberg +1m25.7s
3 Latvala +1m50.2s
4 Mikkelsen +2m25.2s
5 Evans +4m25.4s
6 Prokop +5m26.4s
Breaking news
WRC - Italy: Yesterday's action ended with heartbreak for two people it's fair to say the sport is hoping for success from.
Jari-Matti Latvala was on course to defeat Sebastien Ogier for the second straight rally - and whatever your driver preference, a tense title battle is better than steamroller dominance - until a mistake on the monster 59km Monte Lerno forced the Finn to stop and change a damaged wheel.
That dropped Latvala from first to third behind Mads Ostberg, and gave Ogier a lead of nearly a minute and a half.
The other last-stage disaster yesterday befell Robert Kubica, who ripped a wheel off his Ford when running an excellent fifth.
He's back under Rally 2 today though and is still classified eighth.
Here's the full recap of where we stand:
Rally Italy Saturday afternoon report
Jari-Matti Latvala was on course to defeat Sebastien Ogier for the second straight rally - and whatever your driver preference, a tense title battle is better than steamroller dominance - until a mistake on the monster 59km Monte Lerno forced the Finn to stop and change a damaged wheel.
That dropped Latvala from first to third behind Mads Ostberg, and gave Ogier a lead of nearly a minute and a half.
The other last-stage disaster yesterday befell Robert Kubica, who ripped a wheel off his Ford when running an excellent fifth.
He's back under Rally 2 today though and is still classified eighth.
Here's the full recap of where we stand:
Rally Italy Saturday afternoon report
WRC - Italy: Welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live as we prepare to take you to the Rally Italy finish, with the Moscow World Touring Car Championship races thrown in too.
WRC - Italy: We will be back tomorrow at 8:15am UK time to bring you as-it-happens coverage of the final leg of Rally Italy.
And if that wasn't enough, we'll also keep you informed as to everything going on in both WTCC races at Moscow Raceway.
We'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning!
And if that wasn't enough, we'll also keep you informed as to everything going on in both WTCC races at Moscow Raceway.
We'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning!
WRC - Italy: We're almost ready to call it a day here on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live.
Our full WRC Rally Italy report will be online in the news section shortly, with further reaction to come on the website during the evening.
In the meantime, our sister F1 service is currently providing live coverage of qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix and will be bringing you news and analysis throughout the evening.
Our full WRC Rally Italy report will be online in the news section shortly, with further reaction to come on the website during the evening.
In the meantime, our sister F1 service is currently providing live coverage of qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix and will be bringing you news and analysis throughout the evening.
Quote
BTCC - Oulton Park: Fabrizio Giovanardi feels he is finally getting comfortable with the NGTC Ford Focus, despite qualifying 12th today.
The 2007 and 2008 champion was in the battle for a top-six spot before red flags ended his chance to improve as the track dried.
"When I was fifth I was confident I could stay there," he told AUTOSPORT.
"We took new tyres and I need two laps to get them up to temperature. Then I was much faster in sector one and the red flag came out.
"It could be good tomorrow."
A similar problem afflicted championship leader Andrew Jordan, who will start 13th.
The 2007 and 2008 champion was in the battle for a top-six spot before red flags ended his chance to improve as the track dried.
"When I was fifth I was confident I could stay there," he told AUTOSPORT.
"We took new tyres and I need two laps to get them up to temperature. Then I was much faster in sector one and the red flag came out.
"It could be good tomorrow."
A similar problem afflicted championship leader Andrew Jordan, who will start 13th.
Checkered flag
WRC - Italy: Phew, that was incident-packed, wasn't it? Here's the results from the final stage of the day and the current standings:
SS13
1 Ogier 36m38.0s; 2 Ostberg +36.0s; 3 Neuville +46.6s; 4 Evans 1m14.4s; 5 Mikkelsen +1m18.5s; 6 Meeke +1m23.8s.
Overall
1 Ogier 3h30m15.8s; 2 Ostberg +1m40.2s; 3 Latvala +2m01.5s; 4 Mikkelsen +2m37.8s; 5 Evans +4m24.3s; 6 Prokop +5m26.1s.
SS13
1 Ogier 36m38.0s; 2 Ostberg +36.0s; 3 Neuville +46.6s; 4 Evans 1m14.4s; 5 Mikkelsen +1m18.5s; 6 Meeke +1m23.8s.
Overall
1 Ogier 3h30m15.8s; 2 Ostberg +1m40.2s; 3 Latvala +2m01.5s; 4 Mikkelsen +2m37.8s; 5 Evans +4m24.3s; 6 Prokop +5m26.1s.
WRC - Italy: Latvala finishes 2m13.8s slower than Ogier. He slots into third behind Ostberg and just 21.3s separates them.
So, what happened to the Finn?
"It was my mistake," admitted Latvala.
"The rear jumped out on the ruts - it jumped out, we hit a rock and damaged a wheel.
"We had to stop and change the tyre, but we couldn't have been fighting for the win anyway because we had brake issues."
So, what happened to the Finn?
"It was my mistake," admitted Latvala.
"The rear jumped out on the ruts - it jumped out, we hit a rock and damaged a wheel.
"We had to stop and change the tyre, but we couldn't have been fighting for the win anyway because we had brake issues."
WRC - Italy: Latvala's split times were steady after his earlier drama, so it shouldn't be too long before his arrival.
WRC - Italy: And now we wait to see what happened with Latvala...
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Ogier jumps out of the car as he reaches the finish. He seems concerned by the tyre wear. Even so, his time is 36m38.0s.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Fastest time of all from Ostberg - 37m14.0s. That's 42.5s quicker than Mikkelsen.
WRC - Italy: Mikkelsen had to take it easy through this stage after breaking a damper on the previous test. He's lost time to Ostberg for third. We'll confirm how much once his fellow countryman arrives at the finish.
WRC - Italy: Evans safely makes it to the end and does so 37m52.4s after he started the stage.
"It's not been as exciting as yesterday as we were able to display some good speed then," said a rather despondent Evans.
"It felt very steady in there, but I didn't think I should take any risks."
"It's not been as exciting as yesterday as we were able to display some good speed then," said a rather despondent Evans.
"It felt very steady in there, but I didn't think I should take any risks."
WRC - Italy: Prokop crosses the finish line with a time of 38m26.2s. The Russian says he was experiencing back pains towards the end of the stage.
WRC - Italy: Solberg completes the stage almost a minute slower than Neuville.
"It was very, very hard!" says the Norwegian.
"I was struggling in some corners and it was very, very slippery in some corners."
"It was very, very hard!" says the Norwegian.
"I was struggling in some corners and it was very, very slippery in some corners."
WRC - Italy: Paddon is up and running again. He's lost the best part of 30 minutes after his early stage problem.
WRC - Italy: The tracking system suggests Latvala is moving at normal(ish) speed again. We'll see what his time is at the 15km interval.
WRC - Italy: Latvala is two minutes down on Ogier at the second split. More than the 10s reported earlier, but regardless, massive disappointment for the Finn.
Crash
WRC - Italy: Looks as though Latvala stopped for 10s before moving on again, albeit rather slowly. Puncture?
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: We expected Neuville would be quicker than Meeke, but without split times we didn't want to risk making a fool of ourselves.
The Belgian beats Meeke's time by 37.2s.
"It has gone very well, especially on this stage," said Neuville.
"I had to push before the end."
The Belgian beats Meeke's time by 37.2s.
"It has gone very well, especially on this stage," said Neuville.
"I had to push before the end."
By: Dan Cross, Mark Glendenning, Matt Beer, David Evans, Kevin Turner, Scott Mitchell, Peter Mills
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