SS23: Ogier vs Solberg

World champion Sebastien Ogier finally edged ahead of Henning Solberg for sixth in the penultimate 24.63km Vargåsen stage, but the battle will go down to the final test as the gap between the pair is just one-tenth of a second.

But Henning is not giving up on sixth just yet. “Ogier is faster so I have to respect that, but everything can happen in the Power Stage,” said Solberg.

Thierry Neuville had a late scare after puncturing a front tyre on his Hyundai i20. The Belgian stopped early in the test to replace it and rejoined the action just behind Yazeed Al Rajhi after losing 2min 30sec.

Talking of Al Rajhi, his efforts to catch Jari Ketomaa and regain the WRC 2 lead appear to have ended in tears. The Saudi Arabian driver rolled his Fiesta RRC just after Colin’s Crest and dropped two minutes to his rival. So having lost the lead in the previous stage, he’s now down to third after also slipping behind Karl Kruuda.