SS22: Crash puts Novikov out

Evgeny Novikov has rolled into retirement on Rally Australia, round 10 of the World Rally Championship.

Novikov, who had climbed to ninth in the overall standings at the wheel of his M-Sport Stobart Ford Fiesta RS WRC, left the road at high speed 7.3 kilometres into the 30-kilometre Plum Pudding test, regarded as the hardest of all on the Coffs Coast event.

While it remains unclear how much damage the Russian has inflicted to his car, both he and co-driver Denis Giraudet are reported to be uninjured.

Sebastien Ogier, who was running behind Novikov on the road, slowed to check both crew were okay.

“Evgeny had a big crash and the car was in the middle of the road in a fast place and we slowed down to see if they were okay, it’s better like this,” said the factory Citroen driver. “We finished the stage slowly, it’s difficult when you see a heavy crash like that.”

Sebastien Loeb also stopped and said the muddy nature of the road thereafter forced him to “take it easy”.

Jari-Matti Latvala continues to lead the rally despite reporting a moment approximately halfway through the stage. Driving a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Latvala was actually able to extend his advantage over team-mate Mikko Hirvonen, who was 2.4s slower than his fellow Finn through the stage.

“This stage I kept the rhythm going to see how I was feeling,” said Latvala. “It’s a very difficult stage to be honest and I had a bit of a moment in there where I ran a little wide [in a muddy section] so I’m going to have to stay focused.”

Petter Solberg was second fastest through the stage and is now 38.3s behind second-placed Hirvonen.

“It was very tricky and also very muddy in some parts - it’s a big difference from the recce,” said the Citroen DS3 WRC privateer. “I had an okay stage and changed a few pace notes around. It’s very important to keep on the pace but not do a mistake.”

Hirvonen said: “We didn’t find a good rhythm at all, this was a bit more technical and it didn’t go so well. But there were no moments, nothing.”

Daniel Oliveira is reported to have stopped his Brazil World Rally Team MINI John Cooper Works WRC within the stage.