SS14: Duval rolls on Panzerplatte repeat

Francois Duval’s second day on Rally Deutschland came to a premature end on SS14 when a crash left his Stobart team Ford Focus RS WRC on its roof.

The Belgian, making a return to the WRC after two years away, slid wide and rolled at a right-hand corner 6.5km from the end of the 48km Panzerplatte - the longest stage of the season. Duval and co-driver Denis Giraudet were shaken but escaped serious injury.

Duval’s exit promoted Petter Solberg into fifth. The Norwegian, who was 53rd on stage one after stopping to change a wheel, also celebrate a fastest stage time 8.4seconds quicker than rally leader Sebastien Loeb.

Loeb and Dani Sordo completed the stage cleanly to hold their first and second places respectively. Loeb will take a 35.7sec advantage into Sunday’s competition. Sebastien Ogier clipped a pole close to the end of Panzerplatte but holds third, 1min 31.4sec behind Sordo.

Overall standings after SS14: