Stage 12: Makinen remains in charge

The Finn completed the 19.70km Rochebrune - Urtis section in 16.16.1, ahead of Colin McRae [16.19.6] and Subaru's Juha Kankkunen [16.21.6].

Makinen beat his own winning time of 16:19.8 - when the section was run as stage five on Thursday.

The Finn's main threat in the rally, Carlos Sainz, finished fourth fastest with a 16.22.6.

He is now 1m49s9 behind Makinen.

Overall positions:

1 T Makinen - Mitsubishi - 3.14.38.4

2 C Sainz - Ford - 3.16.28.3

3 C McRae - Ford - 3.17.02.4

4 T Gardemeister - SEAT - 3.17.18.6

5 J Kankkunen - Subaru - 3.17.48.2

6 B Thiry - Toyota - 3.19.19.8

7 F Loix - Mitsubishi - 3.20.29.0

8 D Auriol - SEAT - 3.21.49.6

9 O Burri - Toyota - 3.22.59.5

10 H Lundgaard - Toyota - 3.23.03.1

Results from stage 12:

1 T Makinen - Mitsubishi - 16.16.1

2 C McRae - Ford - 16.19.6

3 J Kankkunen - Subaru - 16.21.3

4 C Sainz - Ford - 16.22.6

5 T Gardemeister - SEAT - 16.34.2

6 A Schwarz - Skoda - 16.35.2

7 B Thiry - Toyota - 16.38.2

8 F Loix - Mitsubishi - 16.45.6

9 H Lundgaard - Toyota - 16.46.1

10 D Auriol - SEAT - 16.46.8