Among the drivers fighting for the world title, the fastest was Sébastien Ogier, who beat his team-mate Elfyn Evans by 0.9 seconds. The championship’s fiercest duo drove the just-over-five-kilometre spectator stage at the same time. Ogier did not draw any major conclusions, as Thursday brings a large number of kilometres in harsh gravel conditions.
“I don’t think there’s anything psychological about this. We’re all adults now, and the rally is only just beginning. Everything is still building up for us” Ogier said.
“We just need to reach the finish. That’s the most important thing in this rally. We have to use our heads now,” Evans added.
Still in the title fight, Kalle Rovanperä lost 2.5 seconds to the fastest time. Rovanperä was the sixth-fastest overall.
“The aim is to enjoy the weekend. This stage was absolutely awful. It was terrible to drive it with gravel settings,” Rovanperä said.
The fastest on the opening stage was Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, who beat Ogier by 2.1 seconds. M-Sport Ford’s Martins Sesks was a remarkable third-fastest, only 1.6 seconds behind the lead.
“Hopefully the reliability is now in order. We just have to trust it and push,” Tänak stated.
On Thursday in Saudi Arabia, seven special stages will be run. The rally ends on Saturday.
Rally Saudi Arabia standings after SS1/17:
| POS. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 3:53.5 |
| 2. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +1.2 |
| 3. | Martins Sesks | Ford | +1.6 |
| 4. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +2.0 |
| 5. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +2.1 |
| 6. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +2.6 |
| 7. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +2.7 |
| 8. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +2.9 |
| 9. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +3.6 |
| 10. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +4.8 |
| 11. | Josh McErlean | Ford | +5.6 |
Rally Saudi Arabia itinerary (CET):
Wednesday 26 November
09:01 Shakedown: Thahban (4.56 km)
18:35 SS1: Jameel Motorsport Super Special 1 (5.22 km)
Thursday 27 November
06:08 SS2: Al Faisaliyah 1 (19.36 km)
07:06 SS3: Moon Stage 1 (20.12 km)
08:04 SS4: Khulais 1 (11.33 km)
10:14 Service (40 min)
12:22 SS5: Al Faisaliyah 2 (19.36 km)
13:20 SS6: Moon Stage 2 (20.12 km)
14:18 SS7: Khulais 2 (11.33 km)
17:28 Service (45 min)
18:31 SS8: Jameel Motorsport Super Special 2 (5.22 km)
Friday 28 November
06:26 SS9: Alghulah 1 (11.69 km)
07:19 SS10: Um Al Jerem 1 (30.58 km)
08:35 SS11: Wadi Almatwi 1 (24.90 km)
10:15 Service (40 min)
11:51 SS12: Alghulah 2 (11.69 km)
12:47 SS13: Um Al Jerem 2 (30.58 km)
14:05 SS14: Wadi Almatwi 2 (24.90 km)
Saturday 29 November
07:05 SS15: Thahban 1 (16.29 km)
08:21 SS16: Asfan (33.28 km)
11:15 SS17: Thahban 2 (16.29 km) *Power Stage
