WRC – Ott Tänak extends his lead at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

Day two of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland carried on where day one left off – with thrilling action and close times. The day’s dominant driver was also the same: Ott Tänak (EST) in the Toyota Yaris WRC, who won Thursday’s Super Special Stage St. Wendel, once again dictated proceedings on Friday. The 2017 winner came out on top on five of the day’s six special stages held in the Mosel vineyards and on the Wadern-Weiskirchen circuit.

The battle between the stars of the WRC was characterised by small time differences and flawless performances. World champion Sébastien Ogier (FRA), at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta WRC, fought particularly hard to stay in touch with Tänak. At the end of day two of the rally, Tänak led Ogier by 12.3 seconds at the top of the overall standings. In contrast, World Championship leader Thierry Neuville (BEL) lost ground in his Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. The Belgian ended the day 27.4 seconds behind Tänak in third place. Elfyn Evans (GBR), Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) and Dani Sordo (ESP) completed the top six in the current standings.

The morning loop saw Sébastien Ogier set the first fastest time of the day on the Stein und Wein stage. However, last year’s winner Tänak countered on the day’s second vineyard stage (Mittelmosel 1), leaving the world champion trailing in his wake. While the first group of WRC stars enjoyed completely dry conditions in the Mosel vineyards, those appearing later had to contend with rain showers and increasingly tricky conditions.

During the afternoon – in consistently dry conditions – Tänak put on another strong performance in the close confines of the vineyards to claim victory on both stages. World Championship leader Neuville had to work hard to ensure that he did not fall further behind Ogier, his most serious title rival. On the final Wadern-Weiskirchen special stage, Tänak recorded the final fastest time of the day.

Marijan Griebel was the best-placed German driver at the end of the day. The 29-year-old local favourite, competing in a World Rally Car in the top category at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland for the first time, claimed twelfth place in his Citroën DS3 WRC. German WRC 2 starter Fabian Krem endured some misfortune, losing a minute due to tyre problems on the day’s first stage. On the subsequent Mittelmosel 1 special stage, the young German showed his class in the Skoda Fabia R5, setting the fastest time among the WRC 2 drivers. The 25-year-old is in 28th position overall. An accident put a stop to the World Championship debut of Albert von Thurn und Taxis. The German ADAC GT Masters champion from 2010 went off-course on the Stein und Wein 2 special stage and was unable to continue.

Standings after 7 of 18 special stages:  

Press release ADAC Motorsport