The rally’s biggest favourite, Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, was forced to retire on the morning’s first special stage. Tänak hit a deer, resulting in damage to the front of the car, including a broken radiator.
In contrast, Tänak’s teammate Andreas Mikkelsen had an excellent Friday. The Norwegian took full advantage of his great starting position and arrived at the evening service in the lead.
Mikkelsen’s form was a pleasant surprise. He had competed in two tarmac rallies earlier in the season, where the results were not flattering. However, on the Polish gravel roads, the Norwegian’s speed in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car has been on a different level.
“It’s been a good day. It’s sad we didn’t get to drive so many stages. Let’s hope the Polish fans will take care tomorrow. Everyone wants to drive,” Mikkelsen said, addressing the audience.
Mikkelsen holds a narrow 1.8-second lead over Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä. Rovanperä, who received a last-minute call to join the competition, had to concede some time on the morning loop but increased his pace in the afternoon.
“It has been a really tiring and long day. I think we did a good job regarding the situation we are in,” Rovanperä commented.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans is also close to the lead, just 0.2 seconds behind Rovanperä.
The biggest surprise of the day was Martins Sesks, competing for the first time in a Rally1 car. Despite his Ford Puma Rally1 car lacking a hybrid unit, the Latvian is impressively fifth, only 7.7 seconds behind the leader. Ahead of him, in fourth place, is Ford driver Adrien Fourmaux, 7.5 seconds from the top spot.
“It was a great day and I’m still enjoying,” Sesks smiled.
The Polish crowd, however, showed a less positive side on Friday. Two of the day’s seven special stages had to be cancelled entirely after only a few cars due to spectators’ behaviour, with fans being in dangerous viewing areas.
M-Sport Ford’s Gregoire Munster is in sixth place. Championship leader Thierry Neuville, serving as the road-sweeping car, couldn’t match the leaders’ pace and is in seventh place, half a minute behind Mikkelsen.
Sami Pajari leads the WRC2 class at the end of Friday. He is ninth overall.
Rally Poland continues on Saturday with seven special stages. The competition concludes on Sunday.
Rally Poland Standings after SS8/19:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Andreas Mikkelsen | Hyundai | 59:43.7 |
| 2. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +1.8 |
| 3. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +2.0 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +7.5 |
| 5. | Martin Sesks | Ford | +7.7 |
| 6. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +21.3 |
| 7. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +29.8 |
| 8. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +32.3 |
| 9. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +2:15.6 |
| 10. | Kajetan Kajetanowicz | Skoda | +2:24.5 |
| 11. | Joshua McErlean | Skoda | +2:37.8 |
| 12. | Robert Virves | Skoda | +2:39.5 |
Rally Poland Itinerary (CET):
Thursday 27.6. 10:01 Shakedown: Lubiewo (5.10 km) 19:05 SS1: Mikołajki Arena 1 (2.50 km) Friday 28.6. 08:45 SS2: Stańczyki 1 (29.40 km) 10:20 SS3: Wieliczki 1 (12.90 km) *CANCELLED 11:10 SS4: Olecko 1 (13.20 km) 14:05 SS5: Stańczyki 2 (29.40 km) 15:40 SS6: Wieliczki 2 (12.90 km) 16:30 SS7: Olecko 2 (13.20 km) 19:00 SS8: Mikołajki Arena 2 (2.50 km) Saturday 29.6. 08:30 SS9: Świętajno 1 (18.50 km) 09:45 SS10: Gołdap 1 (19.90 km) 10:35 SS11: Czarne 1 (22.40 km) 13:25 SS12: Mikołajki Arena 3 (2.50 km) 16:00 SS13: Świętajno 2 (18.50 km) 17:15 SS14: Gołdap 2 (19.90 km) 18:05 SS15: Czarne 2 (22.40 km) Sunday 30.6. 09:00 SS16: Gmina Mrągowo 1 (20.80 km) 10:05 SS17: Mikołajki 1 (10.73 km) 12:20 SS18: Gmina Mrągowo 2 (20.80 km) 14:15 SS19: Mikołajki 2 (10.73 km) *Power Stage
