Hyundai Motorsport has moved into the lead of Rally Italia Sardegna 04.06.2022: ...after Ott Tänak dominated the penultimate day of the weekend with six stage wins • The Estonian holds a 46-second advantage with team-mate Dani Sordo in a provisional podium, having moved up to third place on Saturday

...after Ott Tänak dominated the penultimate day of the weekend with six stage wins




•    The Estonian holds a 46-second advantage with team-mate Dani Sordo in a provisional podium, having moved up to third place on Saturday


•    Thierry Neuville showed strong pace on the day’s opening loop, as he bounced back from Friday frustration, but had to retire in SS12 after rolling his car.
 



Hyundai Motorsport holds the provisional lead of Rally Italia Sardegna, the fifth round of the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) after a sublime performance by Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja on the penultimate day.
 


The Estonian crew built up an impressive 46-second lead during today’s gruelling eight-stage itinerary, which culminated in a red flag-affected final test, in which crews were assigned nominal times after disrupted runs. Dani Sordo and Cándido Carrera remain on course to repeat their podium performance from Rally de Portugal, as the Spaniards hold third place overall.
 


It was an early start for teams on Saturday, as crews began with the twice-run Tempio Pausania (SS10/SS12, 12.03km) and Erula-Tula (SS11/SS13, 15.27km) loop. With no opportunity for lunchtime service on the longest individual day of the rally, crews then embarked directly on the double-header of Coiluna-Loelle (SS14/SS16, 21.60km) and the famed Monte Lerno di Pattada (SS15/SS17, 17.01km).
 


There was action aplenty right from start with Tänak and Järveoja moving into the rally lead, taking the first of six stage wins. The Estonians had started the day just 0.7s from provisional leader Esapekka Lappi, who crashed out in the opening run through Tempio Pausania. Tänak had looked set to reclaim the lead regardless, having been up on the split times at that point. His advantage, however, became a more significant 21.5 seconds ahead of Craig Breen in second and team-mate Sordo, who advanced to third.
 


From there, the performance of the three Hyundai Motorsport crews stepped up another gear with a 1-2-3 in the following stage, the team’s second stage clean sweep of the weekend. Jubilations were sadly short-lived as Neuville and Wydaeghe rolled on SS12, putting an end to their fight-back ambitions.
 


Tänak, however, maintained masterful control of the rally, increasing his overall lead to half a minute by lunchtime’s regroup and tyre fitting zone. His dominance extended into the afternoon loops with three more stage wins. Sordo, meanwhile, was involved in a tight tussle with Breen for second place. The crews were nip and tuck throughout the day, with the Spanish crew escaping from a near-miss towards the end of SS15 to help the team’s third 1-2 in stage. They also lost valuable seconds with an awkward tour through the SS16 water splash.
 


Heading into the final stage of the day, the second pass of Monte Lerno, crews were set on completing the day in trouble-free fashion. A crash for Adrien Fourmaux brought out the red flags, forcing Sordo and Tänak to abort their runs. Rally organisers subsequently assigned the same time to Sordo, Tänak and Breen, equal to that of stage winner Kalle Rovanperä, confirming the team’s 46-second lead and provisional podium ahead of Sunday morning’s four scheduled stages.
 



Crew Notes: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (#8 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)


•    Six individual stage wins for the Estonian crew as they moved into the rally lead

•    The crew holds a 46-second advantage with four stages left to run



Tänak said: “Today was very good, I had a great feeling in the car, and I was able to control things. It’s been quite a long time since we had a run like that, to be honest. It was a bit more challenging when the conditions were hot, especially at lunchtime, otherwise the roads were holding up well. It was enjoyable. In the first stage this morning, when Esapekka was still in the fight, we gave it a good push.


We wanted to start well. After that, we were step by step kind of slowing down but the times kept coming. If you are in the right mood and rhythm that’s how it should be. We had a few driveability issues at times, but that seems to be related to the temperature; when it cooled down it became better again. We’ve been in this position before, and we know anything can still happen. It’s not over until the finish line is crossed.”
 




Crew Notes: Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera (#6 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)


•    Strong Saturday for the Spaniards as they jumped up to third place

•    Close battle with Craig Breen for second place throughout the day
 


Sordo said: “We had some good luck to be here at the end of the day in one piece – we had a few moments today. It was a mixed day for us. We lost some time on the more slippery stages and we need to work a bit in this area. On the second pass, things were generally better. We had a problem in the SS16 water splash. I went in a bit fast, and water came into the car.


For a moment, I thought we’d stop there but thankfully the engine started running again and we could complete the stage. The battle with Craig for second was nice, but he had a really good day and was faster than me, so it will be difficult to catch him.


We don’t have many kilometres left tomorrow. We want to fight with no problems, while also keeping Loubet behind. Let’s see if our good fortune continues until the end of the rally.”
 



Crew Notes: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (#11 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)


•    Belgian crew was determined to put Friday’s frustrations behind them

•    Fast times in opening stages but a roll on SS12 ended their Saturday
 


Neuville said: “After the disappointment of Friday’s technical issue, our target this morning was to go out there, give it a big push and have some fun. We made an aggressive tyre strategy and went hard on the opening stages. The tyres felt good, and the first two times were interesting. Unfortunately, we went a bit over the limit on the third one.


I got caught out at a slow right-hander; I was late on the brakes, I climbed up the embankment and rolled the car. We kept going but I couldn’t make it to the end, and we had to retire for the day. Our rally was basically over yesterday but we wanted to continue fighting, not only for us but also for the team and mechanics, who always do an incredible job.


We knew it would be a risk, especially when trying to make the impossible possible. We will be back in action tomorrow when we’ll be giving it everything to take maximum points in the Power Stage.”
 



Deputy Team Director Julien Moncet said: “Ott and Martin have had an outstanding day, winning most of the stages and showing the competitiveness of our Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car on gravel. He has a solid lead of 46 seconds. It has been great to see him fighting for the win, and for us to be in contention for the highest podium place. Dani and Cándido also had strong pace, albeit with a moment in the water splash that cost them some time.


We have some work to support Dani on the settings and set-up, but he will be looking to maintain his third place on the final day – that’s certainly the target. We already knew Thierry and Martijn’s rally was effectively over before it started, so we used the opportunity to try some alternative things.



He gave it his all, with a different strategy - taking five tyres instead of six – but unfortunately, he made a mistake in one corner, which forced him to retire. We have fixed the car for him to resume tomorrow.”
 




Sunday at a Glance



•    Four short but familiar stages remain on the final day, held close to the Alghero Service Park: a repeated run through Cala Flumini (12.55km) and Sassari-Argentiera 7.10km)


•    Crews will face a total of 39.30 competitive kilometres and an opportunity for extra championships points in the Power Stage.
 




Classification after Day Two
 
1    O. Tänak     M. Järveoja    Hyundai i20 N Rally1    2:43:35.6
2    C. Breen    P. Nagle    Ford Puma Rally1    +46.0
3    D. Sordo     C. Carrera    Hyundai i20 N Rally1    +1:06.8
4    P. L. Loubet    V. Landais    Ford Puma Rally1    +1:31.8
5    K. Rovanperä    J. Halttunen    Toyota GR Yaris Rally1    +2:23.2
6    T. Katsuta    A. Johnston    Toyota GR Yaris Rally1    +3:52.3
7    G. Greensmith    J. Andersson    Ford Puma Rally1    +5:03.3

 
Thomas Villette,Nicoletta Russo  photos Hyundai