News and Quotes SS 7 (Strasin 2)

Thierry Neuville kept his nose in front on the second run of the 26.69-kilometre Strašín stage. The Belgian underlined his form with his first fastest stage time of the weekend and increased his narrow lead over Sébastien Ogier by three seconds to 6.9 seconds. The conditions on the longest stage of the entire weekend were drier and brighter in the afternoon than in the morning, allowing the WRC competitors to finish the stage cleanly.

#11 Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

“It was okay but the road had changed a lot between the gravel crew and us so we had a lot of things humid and basically most of it was dry so slowing down too much. Towards the end I got a bit more into it and it was more reliable but let’s see.”

#8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

“For sure grip is higher and everything is more consistent but not the great feeling. I try hard. We tried to shift the balance a bit (in service).”

#17 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“We are just not fast enough, it was a clean stage but it looks like we are missing a little pace. The car feels nice to drive so we have to check.”

#33 Elfyn Evans (GBR) / Scott Martin (GBR), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“It’s much more dry even than expected I would say. Looking at it now I would have fancied some hards (tyres) in here but it’s like that.”

#16 Adrien Fourmaux (FRA) / Alexandre Coria (FRA), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

“Yes the shock was too heavy so we lost hybrid. In the beginning of the season we were able to reset it but the rules have changed so it’s quite frustrating all the time it happens. I think it’s the same for everybody so it’s really a shame. I did enjoy that stage, it’s a nice feeling, for sure the time is not coming but at least I was a bit more comfortable in the car.”

#18 Takamoto Katsuta (JPN) / Aaron Johnson (IRL), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“It’s quite okay. I mean I was really back off, didn’t push at all, I just keep like this. Maybe it was a bit boring but I just keep like this.”

#5 Sami Pajari (FIN) / Enni Mälkönen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

“So quite nice actually. The grip was now much, much better than in the morning but still some slippy places so yeah I mean to say it was quite nice. I would like to be more closer to the perfect but it’s still not bad.”

#13 Grégoire Munster (LUX) / Louis Louka (BEL), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

“For sure it’s way dryer so you can push a bit even the tyres start to move a bit near the end. You still have some damp patches which causes the car to o a little bit offline but nothing too much to worry about. The feeling of the car is a bit better so at least it’s enjoyable but we can achieve more.”

#20 Oliver Solberg (SWE) / Elliott Edmondson (GBR), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2

“It was okay ut the more grip than I expected. In the narrow bit in the middle I was way too careful and here we are. Much more grip but it’s okay.”

#21 Yohan Rossel (FRA) / Florian Barral (FRA), Citroën C3 Rally2

“It’s a bit better. At the end of the stage I have the smile it’s a big improvement. But no this morning I just sleep I think . I am a bit scary about the condition and to do a mistake because it’s so damage for the team and for me also. Not easy last night but now I want to enjoy and come back on the performance.”