SS4: Andreas Mikkelsen, pride of Norway

After a pair of short and technical stages, the 16.82km Finnskogen was the first opportunity of the day for drivers to really stretch their legs. It was in Norway too – a fact not lost on local heroes Andreas Mikkelsen and Henning Solberg who dug deep to set a Norwegian one-two, setting first and second fastest times respectively.

“I really enjoyed that one,” said a delighted Mikkelsen. “I remember driving it before in a Group N car and I’m really happy with how it felt this time.”

Solberg felt his time was helped by some pre-stage set-up changes to his Fiesta RS WRC. “I’m not saying what I did, because all the other Fiesta drivers will copy me,” he explained.

Jari-Matti Latvala was third quickest and feeling far happier than after SS2. "When it’s fast and flowing I have a great feeling to drive, but I’m not doing so well on the technical stages," he said.

Mid-leg round-up

As competitors reached the regroup in Kirkener after three of today’s six stages, Volkswagen held sway at the top of the leaderboard.

Sebastien Ogier won two of the three stages and leads by 1.6sec in his Polo R. However, fastest time in the last test of the group allowed Andreas Mikkelsen to reduce the gap from 8.7sec.

Jari-Matti Latvala lies third, 4.5sec behind the Norwegian, with surprise package Ott Tanak, Mikko Hirvonen and Mads Ostberg completing the top six.