Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“We took some risk with the tyre choice, wasn’t too bad but was on the limit. I keep pushing all the time. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”
Car 2, Latvala/Anttila
“They tyres started to be failing. I killed the tyres, I lost time. Maybe I pushed to hard. I am disappointed. At least we are on the front, that’s the main thing. This is like a fuel for him (Ogier) he’s firing off.”
Car 3, Meeke/Nagle
“My right rear was tough to keep in line, it’s a soft. I came here with a bit of confidence, but I have to think of my season, I’m not about to throw away my season. We’re watching the VWs.”
Car 4, Ostberg/Andersson
“The problem is not fixed, something is still broken so we did the stake with no boost, just on very high revs. It’s impossible to have a rhythm. I’m using first gear in third gear corners just to keep going.”
Car 6, Tanak/Molder
“I’m really enjoying the car at the moment, it’s good. I can do everything that I want with it now, it’s a good car.”
Car 8, Sordo/Marti
“Today was hard. It was a fight. I tried to push hard, but there it goes. I tried to do my best.”
Car 9, Mikkelsen/ Floene
“I had a spin after the flying finish. But the stage was okay, not the best stage I’ve done, but I’m happy enough. I’m happy with my performance today and the team’s. The pressure is on. It means taking more risks. For sure I would like to finish on the podium. My first time in this car, so it shows what’s to come.”
Car 12, Al Qassimi/ Patterson
“The excitement is not there, because I had to find the right rhythm. The stages are quite rough, you can’t find the right balance.”
Car 14, Kubica/ Szczepaniak
“I’m very happy. For sure if we continue like this tomorrow it will be the best rally. After a three month break, to jump into the new car with little knowledge of these tyres and have a successful rally is a good thing.”
Car 20, Paddon/Kennard
“Near the start there was a big rock right in the driving line. It smashed the gearbox and driveline. We need to nurse it back to service and make sure it doesn’t seize up.”
Car 21, Prokop/Tománek
“I’m happy, I’m improving. We still have some things to learn. I’m still not confident with the car, but it’s going the right way.”
Car 32, Lefebvre/Prevot
“It’s bit more of a better afternoon. I finished today well and I’ll push tomorrow.”
Car 40, Ketomaa/Lindstrom
“I was just enjoying the sunshine! Waving to the spectators. There were some reasons why I couldn’t go faster.”
Car 41, Fuchs/ Mussano
“It was a very long day. I don’t know what happened in this part of the day, I thought there was something wrong so I stopped to look.”
Car 42, Al-Attiyah/Baumel
“Okay, the morning were used the hard tyre. The roads now are really destroyed, maybe it’s better for my style. I hope we can make a good time.”
Car 43, Tidemand/Axelsson
“It was a good day, but there’s always tomorrow. We could have done without losing the brakes, but that’s all part of the development.”
Car 47, Gorban/Korsia
“The rear right wasn’t good, there’s something wrong. I don’t know what it is. Maybe a driveshaft problem.”
Car 50, Grondal/Eilertsen
“We have a long service now. The guys changed everything at the last service, it felt good on the road section but as soon as I started the stage it went. But tomorrow it’s going to be a very good day!”
Car 60, Gilbert/Jamoul
“We broke the suspension after one or two km. I’m glad I got to the end, I think that’s incredible. It’s been a difficult day.”
Car 70, Lappi/Ferm
“There was a 4min gap, plus I have a cracked rear wishbone from driving on the limit. At least I was fast, the stage was almost fine, especially on right-hand corners. But on the left turns it was hard because of the damage.”
Car 71, Parn/Morgan
“We got a puncture so we had to stop and change it. It’s been a tough stage. We lost a lot of time. I’m learning a lot through the day though.”
Car 73, Maurin/Klinger
“We tried to save the soft tyres for this afternoon, but it was a big mistake.”
Car 75, Al-Kuwari/Clarke
“It was a good stage, we improved over the day. It was a good day, I think we started slow yesterday. We’re in sixth now and we’re getting closer to the guy in front. They’re not easy stages, so we just want to get to the end.”