SS12: More progress for Latvala

Jari-Matti Latvala has extended his lead of Rally Australia to seven seconds after beating fellow Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team driver Mikko Hirvonen by 3.6s on Saturday’s second stage, Grace I.

Latvala is running behind Hirvonen on the road and has been benefiting from the cleaner line being created by his team-mate through the loose surface gravel.

“We need to look all the time at Petter [Solberg] because sometimes he can attack very hard,” said Latvala. “We need to get through the stages.”

Asked about the loose nature of the stage surface, Hirvonen said: “Maybe it was a bit damp in places so not as bad. It was an okay drive with no panic. As long as I can keep Petter [Solberg] behind it should be fine. So far it is okay.”

Third-placed Solberg, the only driver realistically capable of beating the Ford drivers in Australia, reported making a handful of mistakes in his privateer Citroen DS3 WRC. He is now 51.3s adrift of first place.

“The car was a little better but I was making a couple of mistakes,” said the 2003 world champion, now 44.3s behind Hirvonen in the overall classification. “I’m pushing and trying but you have to remember these guys are factory teams and we can’t compare.”

M-Sport Stobart Ford driver Henning Solberg said he spotted a cow near the road towards the end of the stage but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Norwegian from maintaining his grip on fourth.