Drama for Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin: the Briton was forced to read the pace notes from his mobile ‘phone, as title rival Neuville laid down the gauntlet with a time of 9min 08.0sec. The stage went from bad to worse for Evans: the Welshman finished the stage on a flat front-right tyre and ceded 47.7 seconds to the Belgian.
Sébastien Ogier’s afternoon charge continued and the eight-time World Champion closed to within 1.5 seconds of Takamoto Katsuta with the second fastest time. Kalle Rovanperä doubled his lead to 0.2 seconds on a stage where Dani Sordo claimed another win.
Pierre Louis-Loubet had been quickest on the opening stage of the afternoon loop and maintained third behind Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel. In Góis 2, Rossel beat Solberg by 3.7 seconds and reduced the Swede’s lead to just 1.5 seconds.
Car 33. EVANS/MARTIN
Finished the stage with a front right-hand puncture.
Car 16. FOURMAUX/CORIA
“It was a really nice stage to drive. The feeling driving downhill is unique. I am doing my best to stay in contact.”
Car 8. TÄNAK/JÄRVEOJA
“It was a clean run. There has been no overdriving at all.”
Car 69. ROVANPERÄ/HALTTUNEN
“We are near with the car where it should be. Understeer and everything is making the tyre wear worse and worse.”
Car 18. KATSUTA/JOHNSTON
“It’s a very rough stage. Not so easy to drive. I was careful quite a lot.”
Car 17. OGIER/LANDAIS
“A little bit better this afternoon.”
Car 6. SORDO/CARRERA
“I push like hell in this stage. I gave all. The car was working like a part of my body. It was so nice to drive.”