Elfyn Evans still has a chance to dethrone his Toyota teammate Sébastien Ogier from the throne of world car racing champion. The Briton took second place in the Rallye de Catalunya and, as his French rival was fourth, he now loses 17 points against him. The competition was dominated by Thierry Neuville in Hyundai.
The last special turned into a tragedy because of the showers. Although the Belgian had minor issues with the engine before his start, he managed to start and keep the lead in mind. He thus achieved the fifteenth triumph of his career.
“Unfortunately there was a lot of stress before the last test. It disappointed me, because otherwise it could have been a perfect and beautiful weekend. It’s not like that. I was relieved to be at the finish line “, the ČTK agency quotes the Belgian winner.
Evans lost 24.1 seconds against Neuvilla, the third was local matador Dani Srdo with Hyundai. It was more important for Brita that he beat Ogier not only in the overall standings, but also by a place in the Super Stage Final evaluation, for which extra points are awarded.
Before the final Monza Rally, the Frenchman has 204 points and his pursuer 187. The last 30 points will be available, no one else will theoretically be able to overcome this pair. The third Neuville scored 159 points.
The fight for the Constructors’ Cup is also not decided, in which Hyundai still has a chance (albeit only mathematically) to defend the title and defeat the still leader Toyota. It has a 47 point lead.
The young Czech Erik Cais in Ford at his World Championships debut took 12th place, he was less than 40 seconds from the points. He finished second in the WRC2 category. Another Czech newcomer, Dominik Stříteský and Škoda, resigned after an accident in the seventh special.
Catalan Rally, the event of the World Automobile Championship.
1. Neuville, Wydaeghe (Belg./Hyundai i20) 2: 34: 11,8, 2. Evans, Martin (Brit./Toyota Yaris) -24,1, 3. Sordo, Carrera (Spp. / Hyundai i20) – 35,3, 4. Ogier, Ingrassia (Fr./Toyota Yaris) -42.1, 5. Rovanperä, Halttunen (Fin./Toyota Yaris) -1: 31.8, 6. Greensmith, Patterson (Brit./Ford Fiesta) -4 : 17.3,… 13. Cais, Žáková (CZ / Ford Fiesta) -10: 45.5, Stříteský, Hovorka (CR / Škoda Fabia) has not finished.
World Cup Ranking (after 11 of 12 races): 1. Ogier 204 b., 2. Evans 187, 3. Neuville 159, 4. Rovanperä 140, 5. Tänak (Est./Hyundai) 128, 6. Breen (Ir./Hyundai i20) 76.
Team classification: 1. Toyota 474, 2. Hyundai 427, 3. M-Sport Ford 187, 4. Hyundai 2C 52.
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