SS7: Basso grows lead as rivals hit trouble

Giandomenico Basso has extended his lead on Rallye Sanremo to 52.6s by clocking the fastest time through stage seven, Colle d’Oggia.

Driving an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC, Basso was 6.8s faster than Alessandro Perico through the 20.73-kilometre run to grow his advantage ahead of second-placed ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 pilot Jan Kopecký.

Craig Breen, who started the stage in fifth overall, has slipped down the order after picking up a front-left puncture striking a rock on the inside of a corner in his Saintéloc Racing Peugeot 207 S2000 and losing approximately three minutes in the process.

Stefano Albertini, who is in fifth position, reported a “strange noise” from the engine of his 207. Harry Hunt picked up a front-right puncture in his Kronos Racing Peugeot.

Crews are now heading back to Sanremo for a 30-minute regroup and service. Stage eight, the repeat of the 19.93-kilometre Colle Langan test, goes live at 13:52hrs local time. Click here for live IRC results.