After SS7: Hänninen takes Yalta Rally lead
Bouffier 6.1s, Kopecky 30.5s
Škoda Motorsport driver Juho Hänninen has moved ahead of Bryan Bouffier and into the lead of the Prime Yalta Rally. The Finn, the defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion, was fastest through stage seven and now heads Bouffier in the overall standings by 6.1s.
Guy Wilks was second fastest in his Peugeot UK 207 although there was more frustration for his Kronos Racing team-mate Thierry Neuville who had to stop to change a puncture.
Deflated tyres also slowed Toni Gardemeister and Patrik Sandell, while Giandomenico Basso completed the stage where he reported a suspected engine problem on his PROTON Satria Neo.
Crews are now heading to the final stage of the day, the 28.95-kilometre Orlinoje stage, which gets underway at 15:24hrs local time.
Overall positions after SS7: