Notes and quotes from Mexico Rally stage 20 11.03.2018: WRC RALLYES - MEXICO RALLY 2018 Sunday, March 11th 2018 Sun 09:05 - Mexico after SS20 1.Ogier 3h40m36.5s, 2.Sordo+48.0s, 3.Meeke+1m13.7s, 4.Mikkelsen+1m36.6s, 5.Loeb+2m24.6s, 6.Neuville+5m02.4s.

WRC RALLYES - MEXICO RALLY 2018
Sunday, March 11th 2018




Sun 09:05 - Mexico after SS20
1.Ogier 3h40m36.5s, 2.Sordo+48.0s, 3.Meeke+1m13.7s, 4.Mikkelsen+1m36.6s, 5.Loeb+2m24.6s, 6.Neuville+5m02.4s.



Sun 09:03 - SS20: Tänak
Back in the field after his retirement yesterday, the Estonian goes seventh fastest in this test. "Everything's good. Let's wait until the Power Stage. We'll try our best, for sure."



Sun 08:59 - SS20: Suninen
Fourth fastest for the M-Sport driver in Sunday's opening test. "I need t keep the car on the road for the manufacturers' points. When there is dust, I am lifting and not taking any risks."



Sun 08:57 - SS20: Lappi
Only sixth fastest for the Toyota driver, 24.6sec slower than team-mate Latvala. "The dust is hanging here and there, but it's okay."



Sun 08:54 - SS20: Latvala
Desperate to catch WRC 2 runner Gus Greensmith for eighth place overall, the Finn goes fastest by 9.7sec in this one. A real statement of intent. "We had a very good feeling and a good run. I'm really happy with the time. The car feels great."



Sun 08:50 - SS20: Ogier
No dramas for the rally leader as he goes fastest by 1.2sec and narrowly extends his lead. "We've taken the optimum tyre choice for the Power Stage, not for this one."



Sun 08:49 - SS20: Meeke
He completes the stage but has dropped 36.6sec to Sordo. That's dropped him to third place behind his Spanish rival. "I just was just coming on to the cobbles and the car slid. A deep gulley on the outside caught a wheel and put us on our side."



Sun 08:46 - SS20: Meeke
Drama for the Citroën driver as he slides wide on the cobble stones close to the end of the stage and rolls his C3 on to its side. He's going again with the help of some spectators. His third place could be gone.



Sun 08:45 - SS20: Sordo
He goes fastest so far as he looks to catch Meeke for third place in the overall standings. He's 3.7sec faster than Loeb. "I had a lot of dust in the middle of the stage. I tried to enjoy it and I'm happy with the car. If we can finish on the podium that would be good."



Sun 08:42 - SS20: Mikkelsen
The Norwegian drops 3.3sec to Loeb in this one. "We did some changes to the car yesterday and it felt better thismorning. I'm in more control of the rear."



Sun 08:39 - SS20: Loeb
The Frenchman completes 12.9sec faster than Neuville. "It was a good feeling in the stage; it was fun to drive on the loose. It's been a long time since I've done that."



Sun 08:37 - SS20: Sordo
He's currently the fastest man on the stage. He's 9.7sec up on Neuville's benchmark at the second split.



Sun 08:36 - SS20: Neuville
He's the first man to complete the opener in 15m 51.2sec. "It's all about saving the tyres for the Power Stage. I had a very smooth run through this stage."



Sun 08:34 - SS20: Ogier
The rally leader is also into the stage. Can he add to his 35.9sec advantage this morning?



Sun 08:29 - SS20: Loeb
The second split at 11.44km is in and the Frenchman is already 7.5sec faster than Neuville. A strong start.



Sun 08:24 - SS20: Loeb
The fifth-placed driver is also into the stage as he looks to reduce the 51.3sec deficit to Mikkelsen ahead.




Sun 08:18 - SS20: Live
Thierry Neuville gets the Sunday action underway as he heads into the 24.32km Alfaro test.



Sun 08:17 - Tyre update
All of the Michelin drivers have chosen to take 5 LTX Force Soft (S5) tyres apart from Mikkelsen who has taken 3 Soft and 2 Hard tyres (H4) and Ogier who has opted for 3 Hard and 2 Soft tyres.




Sun 08:08 - SS20: Standby
We're watching the countdown on WRC+ All Live. Thierry Neuville will leave the start line at 0818hrs. Not long to wait...




Sun 08:01 - Start intervals
We'll have three-minute intervals between the World Rally Car and WRC 2 entrants today.




Sun 08:00 - Sunday's running order
Drivers will go in reverse order today. Here's how the world rally car runners will line up: 1.Neuville, 2.Loeb, 3.Mikkelsen, 4.Sordo, 5.Meeke, 6.Ogier, 7.Latvala, 8.Lappi, 9.Suninen, 10.Tänak.




Sun 08:00 - Stage info: SS20
Sunday’s opening test will be entrenched in drivers’ minds as two sections have already been driven during Saturday’s Otates tests. The opening half contains fast and flowing corners as it climbs and descends before becoming more technical as it moves into the second part. It is also one for the high-fliers with a huge sixth gear jump a couple of kilometres from the end.




Sun 07:59 - Weather
The sun is shining brightly in Mexico and temperatures have already reached 14°C in Leon. We're expecting a dry day with temperatures peaking at around 28°C later on.




Sun 07:56 - Stage live times (first car)
SS20: 0818hrs, SS21: 1008hrs, SS22: 1218hrs .
 




 

 full results, videos and more on www.wrc.com    photo Willy Weyens