SS12 – Amarante shatters Tanak’s winning hopes

The longest stage of the rally, the mighty 37.55km Amarante stage, has been an unfortunate one for M-Sport World Rally Team’s Ott Tanak. He was leading the rally as he entered the stage, but about mid-way through he hit a bank and broke his rear suspension in the process. Ott did make it to the end of the stage, wrestling with the car all the way. But not without cost – he has now dropped to 5th overall.

Teammate Sebastien Ogier again made the most of his road position and pushed on to complete the stage in the fastest time – 24.41.5s. His pace combined with Tanak’s issues mean he’s now leading the rally by 19.5s. Hyundai Motorsport’s Dani Sordo is in second position overall, though he was third fastest over the long stage.

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT’s Jari Matti Latvala, who had been suffering from illness earlier in the day, finished the stage fourth fastest with a time of 24.56.1s.