Catalan Saturday is underway.
Kalle Rovanperä is fighting for victory in Catalonia. EPA/AOP
Catalunya World Cup Rally
EC 9/19
1. Sebastien Ogier, Toyota
2. Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota +5.4
3. Thierry Neuville, Hyundai +11.6
4. Ott Tänak, Hyundai +21.2
5. Dani Sordo +55.8
6. Elfyn Evans, Toyota +1:03.9
7. Craig Breen, Ford +1:05.7
8. Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota +1,32,3
Kalle Rovanperä got into a scary situation in the closing moments of the tenth special stage of the Catalunya Rally. A brick-like piece appeared from around the corner in front of the Finnish Toyota, which there was no time to react to in that situation. It was necessary to drive over, but damage was avoided with these views.
In the goal area interview, Rovanperä separately raised the issue.
– There was a scary piece or something in the way. I was sure it would break our car, but luckily it was pretty smooth, he reported.
When the next driver drove into the same bend, the object was no longer on the road.
Ek’s result information will be updated in the story after a while.
EK9
The Saturday day of the Catalan World Rally started with the Savallà 1 special stage, the fastest of which was Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.
Kalle Rovanperä drove without significant mistakes, but the bottom time was 1.5 seconds away. He drove between the new world champion and Neuville Sébastien Ogierwho beat the Belgian by 0.9 seconds.
Rovanpera was asked in the goal area interview if losing to Neuville is a concern for him. The question made the Toyota star squirm. I guess because the gap with the man from Hyundai is still clear and the rally is only halfway through.
– Of course, it’s not a good thing that they were faster, but I felt that this was good, especially from me, Rovanperä stated.