SS2: Ott Tänak beats Sebastien Ogier – Estonian had an awkward problem

Tänak drove very strongly on the over 13-kilometer stage and posted an impressive fastest time.

Tänak also reduced the gap to rally leader Sebastien Ogier in the Toyota to just 1.8 seconds, despite suffering from an unfortunate issue.

“I lost the hybrid before the stage, the uphill sections are trickier. Luckily it’s quite slippery, so hopefully we don’t lose too much,” Tänak said.

Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier was 5.9 seconds slower than Tänak’s fastest time and was only the fifth fastest on the day’s second special stage.

“I think everything is okay, just a bit more careful in this one. It’s a long loop, but the tyres are good so not a big issue,” Ogier commented.

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville continued to struggle with his starting position, but not as much as on the first stage. The Belgian was 1.2 seconds behind Tänak’s fastest time and improved his position. Neuville is 23.4 seconds behind rally leader Ogier and is currently in sixth place.

M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux remains in third place overall, 10.5 seconds behind the leader.

The Rally Sardinia will have two more special stages on Friday. The competition ends on Sunday.

Rally Sardinia standings after SS2/16:

Itinerary for Rally Sardinia (CET):

Friday 31.5.

08.01 Shakedown: Ittiri (2,08 km)
14.33 SS1: Osilo - Tergu 1 (25,65 km)
15.33 SS2: Sedini - Castelsardo 1 (13,26 km)
17.33 SS3: Osilo - Tergu 2 (25,65 km)
18.35 SS4: Sedini - Castelsardo 2 (13,26 km)

Saturday 1.6.

07.41 SS5: Tempio Pausania 1 (12,03 km)
08.49 SS6: Tula 1 (22,61 km)
10.41 SS7: Tempio Pausania 2 (12,03 km)
11.49 SS8: Tula 2 (22,61 km)
14.05 SS9: Monte Lerno - Monti di Ala 1 (25,33 km)
15.05 SS10: Coiluna - Loelle 1 (14,53 km)
17.05 SS11: Monte Lerno - Monti di Ala 2 (25,33 km)
18.05 SS12: Coiluna - Loelle 2 (14,53 km)

Sunday 2.6.

08.00 SS13: Cala Flumini 1 (12,55 km)
09.05 SS14: Sassari - Argentiera 1 (7,10 km)
11.00 SS15: Cala Flumini 2 (12,55 km)
12.15 SS16: Sassari - Argentiera 2 (7,10 km) *Power Stage