SS19: Ogier fights back in Finland

Sebastien Ogier has closed to within 2.5s of Jari-Matti Latvala in the battle for second place on Neste Oil Rally Finland. Meanwhile, Latvala is now 12.5s behind leader Sebastien Loeb with three stages left.

Loeb, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC, is continuing to lose time running at the head of the field.

He said: “It’s cleaning a lot and very difficult to be first. I am making lines everywhere and for sure Latvala is catching me. Hopefully we will have enough for the next stages. It’s so dry that I am making the new line.”

Ford Fiesta RS WRC driver Latvala said: “Ogier is doing really well. He pushed hard on this stage but the game is still on. We are pushing.”

Mikko Hirvonen has closed to within 3.6s of Petter Solberg in the battle for fourth place after going fastest through the stage.