SS21: Ogier fast, Latvala faster

Sebastien Ogier has extended his advantage on Rallye de France Alsace after he went one second faster than rival Dani Sordo on the repeat of the mixed-surface Graviere de Bischwiller run.

With two stages remaining Citroen driver Ogier is 5.9s ahead of MINI ace Sordo as the battle for victory intensifies.

“There was no fog this time and not so much cleaning on the gravel,” said Ogier.

Sordo added: “I went a little bit off line in the gravel part and lost a little bit of time. It’s okay, I will do my best but now it will be difficult because of the tyres.”

The Spaniard opted to leave service on the outskirts of Strasbourg this morning on soft compound Michelin tyres, while Ogier chose the hard compound version. The soft compound is designed to achieve optimal performance in cold and damp conditions, while the hard version is designed for warm and dry conditions. The ambient temperature rising, Ogier is set to benefit from his decision.

“In the morning the temperature was more for my tyres, now it’s better for his tyre,” said Sordo.

Jari-Matti once again set the pace through the stage in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Stage 22, Vignoble de Cleebourg, gets underway at 1127hrs local time.