SS24: Hirvonen gets closer in Australia

Mikko Hirvonen has moved to within 13.4s of leader and factory Ford team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala with two stages of Rally Australia left to run.

Hirvonen, in a Fiesta RS WRC, was 6.3s faster than Latvala on the repeat of the Bucca stage. After completing the 14.83-kilometre run with the quickest time, Hirvonen said: “I took some time off him and we’re close. There is a long stage to go and I’ll see if I can catch him.”

Sebastien Ogier was second fastest through the stage in his Citroen DS3 WRC. He said: “The car is working well, no problem for us.”

Henning Solberg completed the stage with a broken rear shock absorber in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta.

Peter van Merksteijn Jr said changes to his pace notes had enabled him to set a faster time through Bucca than he managed on the previous run despite reporting a “few tricky moments” in his Citroen.

Production Car championship ace Hayden Paddon said he had cruised through the stage in his New Zealand World Rally Team Subaru Impreza.

Next up for the surviving crews is the repeat of the daunting Plum Pudding stage, which at 30 kilometres is the longest of the world championship qualifier.