Tänak fastest, Sordo still leads

The second pass through the legendary Arganil was Ogier’s last chance to claw back some time over a worn track surface before he again faced the task of cleaning the road in the new Mortágua test. Low-lying cloud and gloomy conditions prevailed as the seven-time World Champion shaved 10.4 seconds off his morning’s time. 

Neuville was still 6.6 seconds faster than the Frenchman and gained another second on a frustrated Evans. “It’s not easy out there,” said the Welshman. “It’s not fitting like a glove, just at the moment. It’s not giving the ultimate confidence.”

Tänak set the fastest time and reduced Neuville’s hold on second place to 1.1 seconds, Rovanperä complained of tyre issues and Katsuta slipped behind Evans again and settled back into fifth. Sordo continued to take advantage of his road position, despite tyre wear on two soft compound Pirellis, but saw his lead reduced to 8.2 seconds after recording the fourth quickest time. 

Lappi opened up the gap on Suninen to 7.7 seconds in the WRC2 tussle, but Gryazin was again quickest and reduced the Finn’s lead to just 1.8 seconds.