SS6, Halfway: El Matador charges

Sainz needs to get ahead of Burns to give team mate Colin McRae any chance of winning a second world title. Burns consolidated his third place overall on SS6, and only needs a fourth place finish to be crowned as champion on Sunday.

As for Sainz's own chances of winning the title, he effectively needs Burns to go out, along with the massed ranks of the Peugeot squad. Not beyond the bounds of reason, but highly unlikely nonetheless.

The Spaniard, fifth quickest through the 17.45km Halfway stage, was just 5secs slower than rally leader Marcus Gronholm and outpaced those behind him significantly to leap from 11th to sixth. Didier Auriol was second fastest to hold his runner-up spot, while Rovanpera set an identical time to Burns on SS6 to maintain the status quo in the top four.

Alister McRae holds an impressive fifth in his Hyundai, but is Sainz's next target. Carlos's progress has demoted the Ford Focus of former British champion Mark Higgins to seventh overall.

For full times from SS6, click here.

For full rally live timings, click here.

For rally itinerary, click here.

For full entry list, click here.