Evans «thinking too much» about WRC title race
Evans has cut a frustrated figure throughout this week’s Rally Sardinia, having been unable to find the confidence to extract the ultimate pace from his Toyota GR Yaris on the gravel stages. After finishing sixth in Portugal last month, the Welshman’s struggles for speed have continued into Sardinia to leave Evans adrift of the victory […]
WRC signs 10-year deal to host Saudi Arabia round
The WRC has been eyeing a return to the Middle East for some time having last hosted a round in the region in 2011 courtesy of Rally Jordan. Confirmation of a 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia was announced at this weekend’s Rally Sardinia, which has been attended by HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah […]
Ogier reclaims lead as team order slows Tanak
Tanak headed into the afternoon stages with a 3.5s lead over part-time driver Ogier, but ended the day trailing the eight-time world champion by 17.1s. The Estonian revealed he’d received a team order to back off with the manufacturer’s championship in mind, after team-mate Thierry Neuville retired from third on stage eight. Ogier’s lead secured […]
Loss of concentration caused WRC Sardinia crash
The WRC points leader was sitting third heading into stage eight [Tula], the final test of the morning loop, when he went off the road and into retirement. Neuville’s i20 N carried too much speed into a tight right-hander, which resulted in his car becoming beached at the side of the road. Neuville, co-driver Martijn […]
Points leader Neuville crashes out, Tanak leads Ogier
Tanak became embroiled in an intense fight with overnight leader Sebastien Ogier (Toyota) across the morning’s rough gravel stages with the lead changing hands twice, before Tanak ended the loop with a 3.5s lead. However, a stage eight exit for Neuville from third position was the biggest talking point of the loop. Neuville’s retirement handed third […]
Ogier hangs onto lead as Fourmaux grinds to a halt
The eight-time world champion claimed two of Friday afternoon’s four gravel stages that made up a much shorter leg than usual courtesy of the WRC’s trial of a new event format. Starting fifth on the road, Ogier made the most of his road position and managed to hold off charge from Hyundai’s Tanak to take […]
WRC helmet camera in development to elevate TV broadcast
Italian helmet supplier Stilo has created a helmet which incorporates an onboard camera, similar to those in operation in F1, to provide a raw drivers’ eye view to the WRC’s television coverage. Stilo is working in conjunction with the WRC Promoter to develop a helmet camera with the device now reaching the testing stage. Helmet […]
WRC drivers back “more intense” sprint format trial
The WRC is conducting a trial of a new shorter format at the Italian Island gravel rally which it hopes could offer event organisers more flexibility and help improve the promotion of the championship. A move to vary event formats, to include endurance and sprint rallies from next season, is a key part of the […]
Ogier claims early lead as Evans suffers puncture
Toyota part-time driver Ogier made the most of his favourable road position to win one of the two afternoon tests to lead Hyundai’s Tanak by 1.8s. M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux completed the loop in third [+10.5s], ahead of Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta [+13.5s], with the third Hyundai of Dani Sordo fifth [16.5s]. Championship leader Thierry Neuville […]