Wrc.com stage summary
Stage data: SS4, Felizes 1 (21.31 kilometres)
Stage description:
By Team Abu Dhabi co-driver Michael Orr: “The stage starts very fast on a very wide road for about six kilometres, which is flat-out basically. Then we go quite steep downhill where there’s a lot of loose gravel, which makes braking areas very tricky. It was on this section that Jari-Matti [Latvala] had his world famous roll shown on YouTube back in 2009. Then the stage climbs down into a valley and then opens up a little bit fast to the finish. The biggest challenge is trying not to do what Jari-Matti did in ‘09. But the big drops are not something you think about because it was a freak incident that Jari-Matti’s car actually leapt over the barrier back then.”
How the action unfolded:
Sebastien Ogier has moved into the lead of Vodafone Rally de Portugal after winning the final stage of Friday morning’s opening loop.
Ogier edged Petter Solberg by 2.3s with Citroen team-mate Sebastien Loeb third quickest, 3.2s adrift of Ogier.
“The rally is very long,” said Ogier, who claimed his maiden WRC win in Portugal last season. “We started quite slowly, it took some time to wake up but now it’s okay. I’m happy, at the moment everything is perfect.”
Jari-Matti Latvala completed the stage, made famous following his huge crash on it back in 2009, was fourth quickest, one place ahead of Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen.
The world championship leader, who held top spot in Portugal after the first three stages despite clearing the road of the loose-surface gravel, reported a lack of precision from his Ford Fiesta’s tyres on stage four. He is now third in the overall standings, albeit a mere 3.3s off the lead.
Crews are now heading to the Estadio Algarve near Faro for the rally’s first service halt.
Key moment:
Ogier moves into first place in Portugal.
Wrc.com rally results links:
NEW... LIVE... TEXT... SERVICE... WRC.com users can keep up to date with all the action from the World Rally Championship with our new live text service. The service will be constantly updated when stages are live to provide a detailed record as the battle for WRC glory unfolds. This link will take you straight to the Vodafone Rally de Portugal live text page
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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