Four special stages remain on the itinerary, with Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier holding the lead heading into the day. On Saturday, the Frenchman managed the chaos masterfully, ending the day with an 11.1-second advantage over Hyundai’s Ott Tänak.
Sunday kicks off with the daunting 25-kilometre San Giacomo – Plebi stage, a test that is virtually brand-new for the top-tier drivers.
“I believe it was last run back in 2012. I remember there was a downhill section with quite a bit of rocky terrain. It’s a tough stage – there’s soft sand covering rocks underneath,” previewed Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.
Latvala expects that the outcome of the rally could hinge on the opening stage of the day.
“I’d say that first run will be decisive. You really need to be alert. If you even slightly ease off, the gaps can open up quickly,” Latvala noted.
Lurking in third place behind Ogier and Tänak is Kalle Rovanperä. The Finn trails the leader by nearly a minute, putting him out of realistic contention for the win barring any major incidents. Still, Super Sunday format leaves plenty of points up for grabs.
“Kalle’s confidence has clearly risen, so I believe he’ll be pushing seriously for points. That would, of course, be very positive for us,” Latvala added.
