SS3, Ste Marie Sicche: leader pushes

The Spaniard was two seconds quicker than nearest rival Didier Auriol on the 36km Ste Marie Sicche stage to give him a lead of 10secs in the overall standings.

Sanremo Rally winner Gilles Panizzi was just 0.4secs slower than team-mate Auriol on the third stage of the day, leaving him under a second behind the former world champion, as the drivers head for another service area.

Subaru's Petter Solberg gained three seconds on Marcus Gronholm's Peugeot with the fourth quickest time. The pair remain fourth and fifth overall.

Richard Burns and Tommi Makinen enjoyed an upturn in fortunes on what had so far been a difficult rally for the world title contenders. They set the equal fifth best time. That was enough to push Makinen up the overall standings from 10th to eighth, and Burns from 18th to 16th.

Championship rival Colin McRae faired less well and was 10th quickest over the stage. But it proved just enough to stay in front of Burns - he holds 15th place, four seconds up on the Subaru star.

For full times from SS3, click here.

For full rally live timings, click here.

For rally itinerary, click here.

For full entry list, click here.